Air India to test all pilots for banned substances

Air India is set to conduct substance tests on all its pilots, beginning immediately, following an incident involving a sudden loss of altitude during a flight from Phuket to Delhi last week. The preliminary report stated that the senior pilots had to retake their substance test, which revealed they had tested positive for marijuana.

Air India Express pilots will also be subjected to these tests from Thursday, with existing rules mandating a minimum of 10% of pilots to be tested randomly. The incident, which occurred on August 4th, resulted in injuries to 17 passengers and crew members when the Airbus lost approximately 91 meters (300 feet) of altitude shortly after departure.

The airline's investigation is being carried out in collaboration with Airbus and France’s air safety agency. Both pilots involved in the flight have been removed from their duties pending the outcome of the investigation. In a memo, Air India emphasized the importance of going beyond regulatory requirements, stating that this initiative reflects their commitment to safety and professionalism, aiming to reassure passengers, stakeholders, and the community.

The airline has been under scrutiny since a June 2025 flight from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after take-off, resulting in the death of 241 people on board and 19 on the ground, with only one survivor. The tests, which include substances as well as medications prohibited under aviation regulations, are being conducted alongside training sessions at Air India’s academy and other locations.

The airline recently appointed Tewolde Gebremariam, a former Ethiopian Airlines boss, as its new chief executive.