Air India has ordered mandatory drug and psychoactive substance screening for all pilots across its fleet and Air India Express [1, 2].
The move follows a safety breach involving a captain on a flight from Phuket to Delhi who tested positive for marijuana [2]. This policy shift signals a tightening of safety protocols within one of India's largest aviation entities to prevent substance-related cockpit impairments.
The airline said the mandatory testing requirement began Aug. 14, 2024 [1]. According to company directives, the testing process was scheduled to begin on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2024 [2].
The expanded screening applies to all pilots employed by both the main carrier and its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express [1]. The directive ensures that all flight crew members are screened for a range of psychoactive substances to maintain operational safety standards [2].
While the airline has not released the specific number of pilots undergoing the initial wave of tests, the mandate covers the entire pilot workforce [1]. The incident involving the Phuket-Delhi flight served as the primary catalyst for this fleet-wide requirement [2].
Air India has not provided further details on the disciplinary actions taken against the captain involved in the initial incident, but the systemic response indicates a zero-tolerance approach to substance use among flight crews [1, 2].
“Air India has ordered mandatory drug and psychoactive substance screening for all pilots”
This policy expansion reflects a shift toward more aggressive preventative safety measures in Indian aviation. By moving from targeted testing to a mandatory fleet-wide mandate, Air India is attempting to mitigate the risk of human error caused by substance abuse, which could lead to catastrophic failures in flight safety.
