Archive · 25 Sep 2026
Air India Reinforces Zero-Tolerance Policy After Pilot Violations
Air India says pilots must never work while affected by alcohol or prohibited drugs.
One pilot tested positive for a psychoactive substance after a flight had a sudden loss of altitude on August 4.
That pilot was later dismissed after a preliminary investigation raised concerns.
On September 6, another pilot failed an alcohol breath test in Zurich before a flight to Delhi.
The pilot was taken off duty and suspended while the airline investigates.
Air India also said a similar incident happened in Vancouver in January.
The airline has reminded all pilots about its strict safety rules.
It plans to use more testing, training, reporting, and monitoring to prevent these problems.
An Air India pilot tested positive for a psychoactive substance after an August 4 Phuket-Delhi flight altitude-loss incident and was dismissed.
A second pilot failed a breath analyser test in Zurich on September 6 before a flight to Delhi.
The Zurich pilot was removed from duty, flown to India as a passenger, and suspended pending investigation and medical evaluation.
Air India told pilots that it has zero tolerance for prohibited substances, alcohol-related violations, and other safety or regulatory breaches.
The airline is adding mandatory substance testing, awareness programs, stronger reporting requirements, and continued compliance monitoring.
- Who
- Air India and pilots involved in reported alcohol- and substance-related compliance incidents.
- What
- The airline is reinforcing a zero-tolerance policy and strengthening safety monitoring after two recent pilot incidents.
- When
- The incidents occurred on August 4 and September 6, with a similar Vancouver incident reported in January; the measures were announced in recent weeks.
- Where
- The incidents involved flights between Phuket and Delhi, an airport in Zurich, and an earlier incident in Vancouver.
- Why
- The airline said the measures are intended to address safety-related violations and ensure compliance with alcohol, substance-use, reporting, and operational rules.
Safety Concerns
Airline Response
Effectiveness of oversight
Safety Concerns
The incidents raised questions about safety-related violations involving pilots, including substance use and alcohol testing failures.
Airline Response
Air India said the prompt reporting and removal of the Zurich pilot demonstrated that its internal monitoring and compliance systems were working.
Disciplinary approach
Safety Concerns
The reported incidents indicate that serious breaches occurred despite existing rules and monitoring processes.
Airline Response
The airline said confirmed violations can lead to suspension or termination, depending on their nature and severity, and that it is strengthening enforcement.
- August 4 incident
- The pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight involved in sudden altitude loss tested positive for a psychoactive substance.
- Action taken
- The pilot in the August incident was dismissed after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau's preliminary report.
- September 6 incident
- An Air India pilot failed a breath analyser test in Zurich before operating a flight to Delhi.
- Current status
- The Zurich pilot was removed from duty, flown to India as a passenger, and suspended pending investigation and a final medical report.
- Policy
- Air India says it has zero tolerance for prohibited substances, alcohol-related violations, and breaches of safety or regulatory requirements.
- New measures
- The airline is introducing or reinforcing mandatory psychoactive-substance testing, awareness programs, reporting obligations, and compliance monitoring.