Air India to screen all pilots for drug abuse after turbulent flight's captain found 'high'
Air India stressed the need to go beyond regulations prescribed by the DGCA “ to uphold the highest standards of safety and professionalism".
Air India and Air India Express will start mandatory drug screening for all their pilots effective Thursday, following a captain's positive marijuana test after a turbulent Phuket-Delhi flight lost altitude last week. The screening will be conducted concurrently with training, and at various locations across the group's bases. Air India and Air India Express operate around 5,000 pilots.
The incident occurred on August 4 when flight AI2379, an Airbus A320neo, suddenly lost altitude by 300 feet during cruise. The pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana in initial and confirmatory tests. A preliminary defect report suggested technical glitches, including autopilot disconnection, preceded the incident. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) plans to review existing civil aviation requirements, potentially increasing random drug testing and penalties for non-negative results. Current regulations require at least 10% of employees to be tested annually.
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