Air India sacks Delhi-Phuket flight pilot who tested positive for drugs - The Hindu

**Air India Dismisses Pilot After Positive Drug Test**

New Delhi – Air India has terminated the employment of a senior pilot who was found to have tested positive for prohibited substances following a routine drug screening. The pilot, who was scheduled to operate the airline’s daily Delhi‑Phuket service, failed the test administered under the airline’s voluntary testing programme that was expanded to 100 % of its flight crew after a preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Board (AAIB) highlighted lapses in safety oversight. Air India’s spokesperson confirmed the dismissal, stating that the airline “maintains a zero‑tolerance policy for substance abuse and takes immediate action to safeguard the safety of passengers and crew.”

The incident reignites concerns after a series of high‑profile safety scares involving the carrier’s operations on the Delhi‑Phuket route. In 2023, an Air India flight reportedly experienced severe turbulence and structural damage—such as a toilet unit being torn from the floor and an emergency light becoming dislodged—while the aircraft was allegedly piloted by an individual under the influence of drugs. Although the airline denied any misconduct at the time, the episode prompted the AAIB to issue a preliminary report calling for stricter monitoring of crew fitness. In response, Air India rolled out a comprehensive, voluntary drug‑testing regime covering all pilots, a move praised by aviation safety experts but criticised by pilot unions for lacking collective bargaining input.

Regulatory authorities have welcomed the airline’s swift action, noting that it aligns with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation’s (DGCA) guidelines on drug use among aviation personnel. The DGCA’s chief underscored that any breach of the “no‑tolerance” policy could lead to revocation of a pilot’s license and further legal consequences. While the dismissed pilot has not publicly commented, legal analysts anticipate a possible appeal, citing due‑process rights. Air India, meanwhile, says it will continue to enforce rigorous testing and training protocols to restore confidence among travelers on its international routes.

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