Air India and its subsidiary, Air India Express, are set to introduce mandatory psychoactive substance screening for all their pilots. This significant policy change comes after the commander of a recent Phuket-Delhi flight tested positive for marijuana.
The two Tata Group-owned airlines collectively employ over 5,000 pilots who will be subject to these new screenings. The mandatory testing program is scheduled to commence on Thursday.
In an internal communication to pilots, the airlines stated that comprehensive screenings would be conducted for any substances or medications not permitted under current regulations. Tests will take place at the Gurugram Academy, as well as post-flight at flight briefing centers, airline offices, or designated locations at respective bases. This initiative is described as a proactive measure to uphold the highest safety standards and ensure passenger confidence.
The policy shift directly relates to an incident on August 4, involving Air India flight AI2379, an Airbus A320 flying from Phuket to Delhi. The aircraft experienced sudden mid-air turbulence, leading to an altitude loss of approximately 300 feet. The flight carried 145 individuals, including 137 passengers and eight crew members, with 24 people sustaining injuries. A confirmatory screening test later revealed that the pilot-in-command had tested positive for a psychoactive substance, identified by sources as marijuana.