Air India has suspended a co-pilot after he failed a mandatory pre-flight alcohol test at Zurich Airport on September 6. The incident occurred shortly before the pilot was scheduled to operate flight AI 151 from Zurich to Delhi, leading to its postponement.
Incident Details and Immediate Action
Ground handling staff at Zurich Airport reportedly detected the smell of alcohol on the first officer during routine pre-departure checks. Local authorities were immediately alerted, leading to the pilot's removal from the aircraft before take-off. A preliminary breath-analyser test was conducted, which the pilot failed.
Following the failed test, a secondary medical examination was also performed in Zurich. Air India officials stated that the pilot remains suspended pending the final medical report and the completion of a thorough investigation. As a direct consequence, flight AI 151 could not depart as scheduled and was delayed until the following morning. The suspended crew member was later returned to India as a passenger on the same aircraft.
Regulatory Response and Airline Policy
Switzerland’s Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) confirmed its intervention under Swiss regulations and has informed India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The DGCA, as the home regulator, will oversee further proceedings related to the incident.
Air India has confirmed that the case is being handled under its stringent Safety Management System (SMS) protocol. The airline’s policy dictates immediate removal from operating duties upon receipt of a preliminary failed test report, followed by referral for medical evaluation. This incident renews scrutiny on crew substance-use compliance, especially as it comes weeks after another Air India pilot reportedly tested positive for marijuana following a flight from Phuket to Delhi.
Under DGCA regulations, pilots are strictly prohibited from consuming alcohol within 12 hours prior to a flight. Any breach of these rules can result in severe consequences, including license action and potential criminal proceedings, underscoring the aviation industry's "zero tolerance" approach to substance impairment.