Air India to introduce mandatory drug testing for all Pilots

Air India is set to introduce mandatory substance testing for all its pilots from Thursday, going beyond the drug-screening requirements currently imposed by aviation regulators. The decision comes days after the captain of an Air India flight involved in a serious mid-air incident reportedly tested positive for marijuana, raising fresh concerns about flight safety and crew fitness.

According to an internal memo circulated by the airline, the expanded testing programme will check pilots for substances and medications prohibited under aviation regulations. The screenings will be carried out at several locations, including the airline’s training academy in Gurugram, briefing centres and offices, as well as other facilities designated according to pilots’ home bases.

Pilots working for Air India Express, the airline’s budget subsidiary, will also be included in the new testing programme.

Air India said in the memo that although existing regulations already require airlines to conduct random testing on at least 10% of their flight crew for psychoactive substances every year, the company believes additional measures are necessary. The airline said the broader testing initiative was being introduced to strengthen safety standards and reassure passengers, employees and other stakeholders.

The announcement follows an investigation into an incident involving an Air India Airbus A320neo travelling from Phuket, Thailand, to New Delhi on August 4. During the flight, the aircraft unexpectedly lost around 300 feet, or approximately 91 metres, of altitude while cruising.

According to a source familiar with the matter, the aircraft’s captain tested positive for marijuana during a confirmatory drug test. The incident has prompted increased scrutiny of pilot health and safety procedures at the airline.

The flight was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members when it experienced what authorities described as a “momentary altitude variation” while flying over Odisha in eastern India. Although the aircraft subsequently continued its journey and landed safely in Delhi, the sudden change in altitude reportedly resulted in injuries to 13 passengers and four crew members.

Indian aviation authorities have launched an investigation into the incident to determine what caused the sudden altitude change and whether any operational or human factors were involved.

Earlier, Reuters reported that India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation had summoned Air India Chief Executive Officer Campbell Wilson following the incident. A source familiar with the matter said the summons was related to the investigation and the airline’s handling of the situation.

Air India and the Ministry of Civil Aviation did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the summons or the investigation. Wilson, however, told news channels that the airline had provided the ministry with an update on the progress of the investigation.

The introduction of mandatory testing represents a significant expansion of Air India’s internal safety measures. By testing its entire pilot workforce rather than relying solely on the minimum regulatory requirement for random checks, the airline aims to strengthen oversight of substances that could potentially affect pilots’ ability to perform their duties.

The move also comes at a sensitive time for Air India, as the airline faces continued scrutiny over operational safety following several recent incidents. Aviation authorities and industry observers are expected to closely monitor the findings of the investigation into the Phuket-to-Delhi flight.

Air India’s expanded testing programme is intended to ensure that pilots remain fit to operate aircraft and comply fully with aviation safety regulations. The airline said the initiative would reinforce its commitment to maintaining high safety standards and restoring passenger confidence as investigations into the August 4 incident continue.