Air India has ordered mandatory psychoactive-substance testing for all pilots after the captain of a Phuket-Delhi flight tested positive for marijuana following a serious mid-air altitude loss.
New Delhi: Air India has ordered mandatory drug and psychoactive-substance testing for all its pilots after the captain of a Phuket-Delhi flight tested positive for marijuana following a serious mid-air incident. The expanded testing programme is aimed at strengthening aviation safety standards and ensuring that pilots are fit to operate flights.
The decision follows an incident involving Air India flight AI2379 on August 4, when an Airbus A320neo operating from Phuket to New Delhi reportedly lost around 300 feet of altitude during cruise. Several passengers and crew members were injured during the incident. The aircraft subsequently continued its journey and landed safely.
Captain Tests Positive for Marijuana
Following the incident, the flight’s pilot-in-command underwent drug screening. Reports said the captain subsequently tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory test. The development prompted increased scrutiny of the airline’s existing procedures for detecting prohibited psychoactive substances among flight crew.
The positive test result, however, should not automatically be interpreted as proof that the pilot was intoxicated while operating the aircraft. A drug test can detect evidence of prior substance use, while establishing impairment at a particular time requires separate assessment.
Reports have also said the captain told investigators that he had slept for a relatively short period during the flight and had taken sleep medication. The circumstances are being examined as part of the wider investigation into the flight incident.
Testing Extended to Every Air India Pilot
Under the new policy, Air India will test all pilots, rather than relying only on the minimum random testing requirements. Testing will reportedly take place during training sessions, after flights and at designated locations, including the airline’s Gurugram training facility and pilots’ home bases. The policy will also cover pilots working for Air India Express.
The move represents a significant expansion of the airline’s internal safety programme. Existing regulations require airlines to conduct random testing of a proportion of flight crew for psychoactive substances each year, while Air India’s new approach will subject its entire pilot workforce to screening.
DGCA Rules Prohibit Psychoactive Substance Use
India’s aviation safety regulations already prohibit flight crew from operating while under the influence of psychoactive substances that could impair their ability to safely perform their duties. DGCA regulations also contain provisions concerning prohibited substances and alcohol testing for operating crew.
The government has now asked the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to review existing drug-testing rules following the Air India case. The review could lead to further changes in testing and monitoring procedures across India’s aviation sector.
Focus on Passenger Safety
Air India’s decision comes amid heightened attention on flight safety and crew fitness. Mandatory screening across its pilot workforce is expected to provide additional safeguards and reassure passengers following the Phuket-Delhi incident.
The investigation into the altitude-loss episode and the captain’s drug-test result remains separate from the broader decision to strengthen screening procedures. Further regulatory action will depend on the findings of the ongoing inquiries.
The case has also renewed debate about pilot fatigue, medication, substance screening and aviation safety, with airlines and regulators facing growing pressure to ensure that flight crews remain fully fit for duty.
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