Post by : Badri Ariffin

Air India has ordered mandatory drug screening for all pilots from Thursday, August 13, following reports that a captain involved in a serious mid-air incident tested positive for marijuana.

The decision was communicated in an internal memo seen by AFP. The airline said all group pilots would undergo screening for substances or medications that are not permitted under existing regulations.

The memo stated that the testing was mandatory and would begin immediately.

Existing Rules Require Random Pilot Testing

Under existing regulations, airlines are required to randomly test at least 10 per cent of their flight crew each year for psychoactive substances.

Air India’s decision goes beyond the annual random testing requirement by directing screening of all group pilots.

The move follows reports concerning the captain of an Air India flight that experienced a sudden loss of altitude shortly after take-off from Phuket, Thailand.

Air India Flight Lost About 91 Metres of Altitude

On August 4, at least 24 passengers were injured after an Airbus A320 lost about 91 metres of altitude shortly after departing Phuket for New Delhi.

Local media reports said the main pilot had smoked marijuana and had tested positive in a second confirmatory test.

Air India has said the reported test results have not been shared with the airline.

Indian investigators have not commented on the reports about the pilot's alleged drug test results. They have said they are closely examining evidence connected to the flight.

Airbus and France's BEA Support Investigation

The investigation into the Phuket-New Delhi flight incident is being supported by Airbus and France's civil aviation safety agency, the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety, known as the BEA.

Investigators are examining evidence related to the incident as the inquiry continues.

Air India Faces Wider Operational Challenges

The incident comes as Air India works to overhaul its operations following a series of setbacks.

The airline's reputation was severely affected in June 2025 when London-bound Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad.

The crash killed all but one of the 242 people on board and also killed 19 people on the ground.

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