Pilots Alcohol Test

Two Air India Group pilots test non-negative in initial drug screening

Two pilots of the Air India Group have failed the initial drug test as their results came "non-negative" and their samples have been sent for confirmatory tests, according to a source. On August 13, Air India and Air India Express started mandatory psychoactive substance testing of all their pilots, expanding checks beyond regulatory requirements. These tests were made mandatory following the August 4 incident, when the captain of an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight, that suddenly lost altitude, tested positive for marijuana. The source on Monday said psychoactive substance tests have been completed for around 400 pilots of the Air India Group so far. Of them, the initial screening test results have come "non-negative" for two pilots, the source said. Specific details could not be immediately ascertained. There was no official comment from Air India. The two Tata Group-owned airlines have more than 5,000 pilots. The comprehensive screening covers substances and medications prohibi

How often are pilots drug-tested and what happens after a positive result

From pre-employment checks to post-accident screening, here's what India's rules say about pilot drug testing, positive results, rehabilitation, and licence cancellation

DGCA changes rules, mandates alcohol test for 25% airport employees

A total of 189 people working at 59 Indian airports were found drunk on duty in the first half of 2023, marking a 32 percent year-on-year increase, as per the data from DGCA

33 pilots, 97 cabin-crew members found drunk on duty in H1 of 2023: DGCA

According to DGCA rules, pilots and cabin crew members must undergo pre-flight breathalyzer tests

172 workers at 56 airports found drunk on duty between Jan-July: DGCA

However, Bengaluru airport's operator BIAL gave a different set of data to Business Standard

DGCA orders resumption of pre-flight alcohol test for pilots, cabin crew

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday ordered airlines to resume pre-flight alcohol tests for pilots and cabin crew members. The aviation regulator had on March 29 this year suspended breath analyser (BA) test for "all aviation personnel" like pilots, cabin crew members, ground handling staff and air traffic controllers due to the "extraordinary" circumstances posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and given the directions issued by the high courts in Delhi and Kerala. "In partial modification of the DGCA order... dated 29.03.2020, this is to convey that the employer/organization shall ensure flight crew member and the cabin crew member shall undergo pre-flight BA test," said the regulator in an order dated September 4. This means breath analyser tests will continue to remain suspended for aviation personnel other than pilots and cabin crew members. In domestic flight operations, 10 per cent of pilots and crew members should undergo preflight BA test per day, the DGCA

Indian aviation has a drinking problem and DGCA plans to fix it. Here's how

The DGCA rules state that pilots and cabin crews who fail the alcohol test the first time are barred from flying for three months

A total of 181 pilots tested positive for alcohol during 2015-2018: Govt

In 2015, as many as 43 pilots tested positive for alcohol

Soon, pilots, air crew may have to undergo alcohol test at transit airports

DGCA has proposed changes to the 'Procedure for medical examination of aircraft personnel for alcohol consumption'