New Delhi: Two pilots of the Air India Group have returned non-negative results during preliminary drug screenings, prompting authorities to send their samples for confirmatory laboratory testing. In accordance with safety protocols, both aviators have been removed from flying duties pending the final results of the confirmatory analysis.
The preliminary findings emerged after the Tata Group-owned carrier initiated a comprehensive, mandatory psychoactive substance screening program across its entire roster of more than 5,000 cockpit crew members across Air India and Air India Express on August 13. To date, approximately 400 pilots have undergone testing across various airline bases and training facilities.
The decision to enforce universal screening follows an incident on August 4 involving flight AI2379, an Airbus A320neo flying from Phuket to Delhi with 145 people on board. During cruise, the aircraft experienced a sudden loss of approximately 300 feet in altitude amid turbulence, leaving multiple passengers and crew members injured. Subsequent post-flight medical assessments confirmed that the flight’s pilot-in-command tested positive for cannabis. That incident remains under formal review by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau.
Under regulatory standards enforced by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, any flight crew member who returns a non-negative preliminary result must be immediately taken off safety-sensitive operational rosters until secondary confirmatory testing is completed. If a confirmatory test confirms prohibited substances, personnel are required to complete mandated rehabilitation programs before undergoing re-evaluation to determine flight readiness.
