Air India Orders Mandatory Dope Tests for All Pilots From Now On
"As you know, Air India already fully complies with all regulatory requirements prescribed by India's Directorate General of civil Aviation (DGCA), which are similar to those practiced in other major aviation jurisdictions including Europe and the United States. We nevertheless now feel that it is important to go further. Accordingly, we have decided to undertake a full screening of all group pilots for any substances or medications that are not permitted under prevailing regulations. This testing is mandatory and will start today, 13 August 2026,” the letter said
New Delhi: Amid the row over the captain of Air India’s Phuket-Delhi flight testing positive for marijuana, the airline on Thursday ordered fresh mandatory dope tests for all its pilots on all routes. The tests began on Thursday following a formal letter from the management. All pilots have also been told to self declare any substance use while assuring confidentiality.
In a letter to the pilots, the management said that Air India has earned the trust of millions of passengers over the years and it is vital to do all possible to protect and sustain it.
"As you know, Air India already fully complies with all regulatory requirements prescribed by India's Directorate General of civil Aviation (DGCA), which are similar to those practiced in other major aviation jurisdictions including Europe and the United States. We nevertheless now feel that it is important to go further. Accordingly, we have decided to undertake a full screening of all group pilots for any substances or medications that are not permitted under prevailing regulations. This testing is mandatory and will start today, 13 August 2026,” the letter said.
The tests will be conducted concurrently with training at Air India’s academy in Gurugram, post flight at its Flight Briefing Centres or Air India Offices, or at locations provided by pilots’ respective bases.
“This initiative, which goes beyond regulatory requirements, reflects our determination to uphold the highest standards of safety and professionalism, and to provide reassurance to our passengers, stakeholders and the community at large,” the management letter added.
The letter comes after the DGCA pulled up Air India top brass asking it to improve oversight in operations and take more steps to ensure safety. During a meeting with the Air India CEO Mr Campbell Wilson on Tuesday, the DGCA had asked the airline to enforce tougher penalties on pilots testing positive for banned substances and give more chances to pilots who test positive to drugs that are due to certain medicines. All pilots need to declare their certain medications ahead of flight.
DGCA’s Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR), section 5 air safety rules (series F, part V) prescribe for random drug testing for the consumption of psychoactive substances. This random testing shall be done by a DGCA authorized laboratory at six airports -- Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Hyderabad in phase 1, in the presence of the DGCA officer of the level of Assistant Director and above.
At least 10% of the employees of an airline are covered in a year. In addition, the airlines shall ensure that Pilot and Air Traffic Control Officers in their employment are tested for detection of drug abuse /habituation/dependence /addiction before employing a person, post accident, random testing by organization and follow up testing of confirmed cases
“All organizations should encourage their employees for self-declaration regarding use of psychoactive substances. Such employees shall be subjected to a rehabilitation process by the organisation before returning to active duty. All such cases shall also be reported to the DGCA,” the CAR says.