Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Air India Express Adds Confidential Psychoactive Substance Self-Declaration Process
Air India Express has created a private way for employees to report problems involving psychoactive substances.
Employees can use an online safety system or special email addresses.
Only authorised people who need the information are supposed to receive it.
The airline says the program is designed to improve safety and help employees receive support early.
It says the program was not created because of a specific incident at the airline.
The process follows guidance from India’s aviation regulator.
The industry is also examining drug-screening results involving Air India Group pilots.
Some preliminary results were non-negative, but final confirmatory results have not yet been officially confirmed.
Air India Express has introduced a voluntary process for employees to report psychoactive substance use, misuse, dependence or abuse.
The initiative uses the airline’s safety reporting platform and designated email addresses, with disclosures handled confidentially.
The airline said the process is intended to support safety, employee wellbeing, early intervention and recovery.
The move follows Directorate General of Civil Aviation guidance encouraging crews to declare substance use that could affect fitness for duty.
The aviation industry is awaiting confirmatory results after two Air India Group pilots returned non-negative preliminary screening results.
- Who
- Air India Express employees, with the process introduced under guidance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation.
- What
- A voluntary, confidential self-declaration system for reporting psychoactive substance use, misuse, dependence or abuse.
- When
- The initiative was reported on August 19, 2026; the airline circulated Safety Circular 04 of 2026.
- Where
- Declarations can be submitted through Air India Express’s safety reporting platform or designated email addresses.
- Why
- To strengthen safety reporting, employee wellbeing, early intervention, recovery and safety governance.
- Airline
- Air India Express
- Process
- Voluntary self-declaration of psychoactive substance use or related problems
- Confidentiality
- Information is to be shared only with authorised personnel on a need-to-know basis
- Regulatory basis
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation civil aviation requirements encourage voluntary declarations affecting fitness for duty
- Related testing
- Two Air India Group pilots returned non-negative preliminary screening results
- Awaited information
- Confirmatory test results have not been officially confirmed
- Safety circular
- Safety Circular 04 of 2026 - Self Declaration for Use of Psychoactive Substances