Archive · 11 Sep 2026
DGCA Orders One-Time Drug Tests for All Airline Pilots
India’s aviation regulator wants every airline pilot to take a drug test once.
Airlines must finish the testing by July 2027.
Reports say some testing has already started.
The decision came after an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi suddenly lost about 300 feet of altitude.
The plane also appeared to lose the use of all three hydraulic systems.
After the flight, the captain tested positive or non-negative for a psychoactive substance.
Air India dismissed the captain.
Investigators said the drug finding was serious but have not proved that it caused the flight problem.
The DGCA has ordered all Indian airlines to complete one-time drug screening of their pilots by July 2027.
Testing has reportedly begun, while revised rules on psychoactive-substance screening are expected by the end of the month.
The directive follows an Air India Airbus A320 flight from Phuket to Delhi that lost about 300 feet after all three hydraulic systems failed.
The flight’s captain tested positive or non-negative for a psychoactive substance and was dismissed by Air India on September 4.
The AAIB called the drug-use finding a serious concern, but investigators have not established that it caused the aircraft’s altitude loss.
- Who
- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Indian airlines, Air India, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau, and Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu.
- What
- The DGCA ordered a one-time psychoactive-substance screening of pilots across all airlines and is preparing revised testing rules.
- When
- The testing must be completed by July 2027; the related flight incident occurred on August 4, and the AAIB preliminary report and pilot dismissal were reported on September 4.
- Where
- The order applies to Indian airlines; the related flight operated from Phuket to Delhi and landed in India.
- Why
- The action follows concerns raised after the Air India incident and the AAIB’s finding that the captain’s confirmed psychoactive-substance use was a serious concern.
- Regulator
- Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
- Testing requirement
- One-time drug screening for pilots across all airlines
- Deadline
- July 2027
- Current rule
- Random testing annually covers 10% of pilots and air traffic controllers, among other personnel
- Related flight
- Air India Airbus A320 operating from Phuket to Delhi on August 4
- Flight event
- Near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems, autopilot disconnection, and an altitude loss of about 300 feet
- Pilot action
- Air India terminated the captain’s employment after the psychoactive-substance test
- Proposed changes
- Revised Civil Aviation Requirements are expected to strengthen and broaden testing rules
Sources
DGCA Orders One-Time Drug Testing Of All Pilots By July 2027 After Safety Concerns
DGCA orders drug tests for pilots across all airlines
DGCA to drug test all pilots after Air India Phuket-Delhi flight captain fired for being under the influence on duty
Drug test for pilots across airlines after Air India’s Phuket incident
DGCA orders one time drug tests for all pilots by July 2027: Report