India
Archived — This article has been archived. The information may be outdated.
Air India orders full drug screening of all pilots
The Hindu··14 Aug
Air India told cockpit crew that from August 13 it would screen all group pilots for prohibited substances and medications. Tests will run with training at the Gurugram Academy, after flights at briefing centres, or at base offices. Senior Vice President Manish Uppal said the step goes beyond current regulations and is meant to reassure passengers.
Prism
What It Means For You
- If you fly Air India or Air India Express, the airline says every group pilot is now in a mandatory substance and medication screen, not only a 10 percent annual sample.
- Passengers on AI2379 can note 24 people were injured in the August 4 altitude drop; the commander's confirmatory test is a separate fact from the technical inquiry.
- Crew can see tests scheduled around training and post-flight briefings rather than only after accidents.
What's Happening
- Uppal's email said full screening of all group pilots for substances not permitted under prevailing regulations would start on August 13.
- Testing locations include the Gurugram Academy, flight briefing centres, airline offices and other spots named by each base.
- Sources said the AI2379 commander tested positive for marijuana in confirmatory screening after the Phuket-Delhi sector.
What DGCA Rules Required Before This Order
- Current civil aviation requirements ask airlines for random psychoactive-substance tests on a 10 percent annual sample of flight crew, and for tests after incidents.
- The ministry and DGCA have begun reviewing whether that sample size should increase after the Phuket event.
- Air India Express has also asked crew for confidential self-declaration of substance misuse alongside the group's mandatory screen.
all-newstop-stories
