Post by : Meena Ariff

An Air India pilot was detained at Vancouver International Airport in Canada on December 23, just before Christmas, after authorities raised concerns about the pilot’s fitness for duty due to the smell of alcohol. The pilot was scheduled to operate a Delhi-bound flight, but the discovery led to a delay in the flight’s departure.

According to reports, a staff member working at the duty-free store in the Vancouver airport noticed the pilot either consuming alcohol or smelling strongly of it while purchasing alcohol. This prompted the staff to alert Canadian airport authorities, who immediately took action.

The pilot was subjected to a breathalyzer test, which he failed. Following the test, the pilot was detained by Canadian authorities for further inquiry. Due to this last-minute development, Air India had to offload the pilot from the flight and assign an alternate cockpit crew member to operate the Delhi-bound flight, causing the delay.

In an official statement, Air India said, “Flight AI186 from Vancouver to Delhi on December 23 experienced a last-minute delay after one of the cockpit crew members was offloaded prior to departure. Canadian authorities raised concerns regarding the pilot’s fitness for duty, following which the crew member was taken for further inquiry. In accordance with safety protocols, an alternate pilot was rostered to operate the flight, resulting in the delay.”

The airline also expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to its passengers and confirmed that it is fully cooperating with the local authorities during the investigation. “The pilot has been taken off flying duties during the process of the enquiry. Air India maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any violation of applicable rules and regulations. Pending the outcome of the investigation, any confirmed violation will attract strict disciplinary action in line with company policy. Safety remains Air India’s highest priority at all times,” the statement added.

In a related development, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show-cause notice to another Air India cockpit crew for operating multiple flights between Delhi and Tokyo despite being aware of serious compliance lapses. The aviation regulator has demanded an explanation from the pilots within two weeks.

These incidents have raised concerns about crew compliance and safety standards in the airline industry. Authorities and airline companies continue to emphasize strict adherence to safety protocols to ensure passenger safety and maintain operational integrity.

#Global News