After Air India drug incident, DGCA weighs annual testing of all pilots

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is considering annual drug testing for all pilots following a recent incident involving an Air India flight. The captain of the Air India flight that experienced a sudden altitude drop on August 4 tested positive for marijuana. Currently, only 10% of pilots are required to undergo random testing annually, but the DGCA is open to expanding this to 25% of pilots based on stakeholder consultations.

The Air India group has already initiated mandatory one-time testing for all of its 5,000-odd pilots. The incident has sparked calls for stricter drug testing protocols and more severe disciplinary actions for pilots found guilty of drug abuse. The DGCA's Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) mandate random dope tests for 10% of flight crew, other pilots, and air traffic controllers each year, with additional tests conducted after safety-related incidents.

The testing process includes a screening test followed by a confirmatory test in a designated laboratory. If a pilot tests positive for drug use for the first time, they are referred to a rehabilitation program before returning to active duty. Repeat offenses can result in license suspension.