{
  "id": 761985,
  "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",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-13T12:02:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "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 will begin mandatory drug testing for all pilots on Thursday, following a captain's positive marijuana test related to a dangerous mid-air incident, according to an internal memo obtained by AFP. The airline's current policy requires random testing of at least 10 percent of its flight crew each year for psychoactive substances. The memo stated that the airline has decided to conduct a comprehensive screening of all Group pilots for any prohibited substances or medications. The mandatory testing is set to commence today. On August 4, an Airbus A320 carrying at least 24 passengers plummeted about 300 feet (91 meters) shortly after departing from Phuket, Thailand for New Delhi. Local reports claimed the pilot had smoked marijuana and tested positive in a confirmatory test. Air India has not shared the results with local authorities. Indian investigators are examining the evidence, supported by Airbus and France's civil aviation authorities, but have not commented on the reports.",
  "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",
        "published": "2026-08-13T11:52:04.000Z"
      },
      {
        "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."
}