Air India Mandates Universal Drug Testing for All Pilots

Air India has implemented immediate mandatory drug testing for all pilots following an incident on August 4 where a Phuket-to-Delhi flight lost 91 metres of altitude.

Preliminary reports indicate the senior pilot of the flight, which injured 17 passengers and crew, tested positive for marijuana, leading to the suspension of both pilots.

The airline is expanding testing beyond the regulatory requirement of 10% random checks to include all pilots and Air India Express staff at training and briefing centres.