Air India to undertake full screening of its pilots for prohibited substances and medications from August 13
The testing will be conducted alongside pilot training at Air India’s Gurgaon Academy or post flight at airports or other locations conveyed by various bases.
Air India's CEO Campbell Wilson expressed anger and disappointment on August 13, 2026, over employees disregarding rules and regulations. The airline is set to conduct comprehensive checks for banned substances and medications on all its pilots starting from August 13, replacing the previous system of random testing. This decision was made in the wake of the Phuket–Delhi flight incident on August 4, where the pilot tested positive for marijuana, a prohibited substance.
The pilot-in-command and at least 20 passengers were injured during the incident, which saw multiple technical issues and a momentary loss of altitude. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has classified the incident as serious and is currently investigating. Wilson, in his final town hall address before stepping down, warned that violations of rules will have increasingly severe consequences as the airline faces scrutiny.
He emphasized the importance of self-discipline and encouraged employees to report wrongdoing, noting that 1,000 employees had been fired in the past three years for minor offenses such as abusing travel privileges and forging documents.
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