Phuket Flight Fiasco Latest News: Air India has come under fresh scrutiny after two other pilots have tested non-negative during the drug screening process. This is happening at a time when Air India is still in the midst of conducting mandatory tests on their pilots after the Phuket-Delhi flight mishap that happened just a few weeks back. However, it does not necessarily mean that the two pilots have failed their drug test.
Phuket Flight Fiasco Latest News: Why have two more Air India pilots returned non-negative drug tests?
Two Air India pilots have reportedly returned non-negative results for psychoactive substances after around 350 pilots were screened as part of the airline group’s new testing programme. Air India and Air India Express have around 5,000 pilots combined. The latest results have emerged from the wider screening exercise that began after the Phuket-Delhi flight incident. Importantly, a non-negative result in an initial screening is not the same as a confirmed positive result. The pilots may have to undergo additional testing before any conclusion is reached.
Why is Air India conducting drug tests for all pilots?
Air India started a 100% pilot screening programme on August 13, 2026. The decision followed concerns raised after the Phuket-Delhi flight incident. Manish Uppal, Air India’s head of flight operations, informed pilots that the screening would cover substances and medicines that are not allowed under existing aviation regulations. The mandatory checks apply to pilots working with both Air India and Air India Express. Testing is being carried out at different locations, including the group’s training facility in Gurugram, flight briefing centres, Air India offices and other locations assigned by the respective bases. The airline is conducting the exercise across its pilot workforce as part of its safety and regulatory measures.
What happened during the Phuket-Delhi flight?
The testing drive began after an incident involving Air India flight AI2379, which was flying from Phuket to Delhi on August 4. The Airbus A320neo reportedly lost around 300 feet of altitude while cruising. The incident is being investigated by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB). The flight’s commander reportedly tested positive for marijuana during an initial test and again during a later confirmatory test. The pilot has reportedly said that he had sleep-related problems and was taking prescribed medication. The pilot has been taken off flying duties while the matter is investigated further.
Phuket Flight Fiasco Latest News: Were there technical problems during the flight?
However, there is another matter that is going to be analysed. The report of a preliminary defect made by the pilots allegedly contains several technical failures that occurred during the incident. They include an autopilot failure and multiple warnings from the aircraft. Investigators are going to analyse technical and operational aspects associated with the sudden fall of the plane. The investigation by the AAIB is still ongoing, and there will be more details released about this case as the authorities evaluate the evidence related to the aircraft. For the time being, the last two drug-test results have to be considered non-positive until the final analysis is performed.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information available at the time of writing and the details provided. A non-negative drug-screening result does not necessarily mean a confirmed positive result. The Phuket-Delhi flight incident and related matters remain under investigation, and details may change as further testing and official findings become available.
