{
  "id": 761061,
  "title": "Air India mandates drug tests for all pilots after mid-air plunge",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/air-india-mandates-drug-tests-for-all-pilots-after-mid-air-plunge",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T11:52:04.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/business/companies/20260813/air-india-mandates-drug-tests-for-all-pilots-after-mid-air-plunge"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Air India has implemented mandatory drug testing for all its pilots, effective Thursday, following a captain's positive marijuana test related to a serious mid-air incident. Existing airline policies already mandate random testing of at least 10 percent of flight crews yearly for psychoactive substances. The company's internal memo revealed the airline's decision to conduct comprehensive screenings of all Group pilots, as they aim to identify any prohibited substances or medications. On August 4, an Airbus A320 carrying at least 24 passengers plummeted about 300 feet shortly after departing from Thailand's Phuket for New Delhi. Local media reported that the main pilot had smoked marijuana and tested positive in a second confirmatory test. Air India has not shared the results with authorities, and Indian investigators are closely examining evidence linked to the flight, supported by Airbus and France's civil aviation authorities.",
  "summary": "NEW DELHI — Air India pilots will undergo mandatory drug screening starting Thursday, according to an internal memo seen by AFP, after a captain involved in a serious mid-air incident reportedly tested positive for marijuana. Existing rules require airlines to randomly test at least 10 percent of their flight crew for psychoactive substances each year. \"We have decided to undertake a full…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "‘Drug test for all pilots’: Air India e-mail after Phuket-Delhi incident",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/drug-test-for-all-pilots-air-india-e-mail-after-phuket-delhi-incident",
        "published": "2026-08-13T10:13:56.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Air India mandates drug tests for all pilots after mid-air plunge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/air-india-mandates-drug-tests-for-all-pilots-after-mid-air-plunge-761985",
        "published": "2026-08-13T12:02:03.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Toronto Sun",
        "title": "Air India mandates drug tests for all pilots after mid-air plunge",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/13/air-india-mandates-drug-tests-for-all-pilots-after-mid-air-plunge-768045",
        "published": "2026-08-13T12:08:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}