More than 5,000 pilots working with Air India and Air India Express have begun undergoing mandatory substance screening as part of the airline’s efforts to strengthen passenger confidence and maintain safety standards.
The large-scale testing drive started on Thursday and comes after a series of incidents that have raised concerns over aviation safety and crew fitness. Passenger trust was already affected by the Ahmedabad plane crash in June last year and was gradually being rebuilt. However, concerns resurfaced after the August 4 Phuket-Delhi flight, where the pilot-in-command reportedly failed a dope test following the incident involving the aircraft.
Air India said the one-time screening exercise is aimed at reinforcing its commitment to passenger safety and restoring confidence. Once the current drive is completed, the airline will continue substance testing in line with regulatory requirements. At present, regulations require airlines to test at least 10% of their crew members each year.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is also reviewing the existing rules and could introduce stricter action against crew members who test positive because of substance addiction. At the same time, the regulator is considering a separate approach for cases where a positive result is linked to prescribed medicines taken for pain, allergies or other medical conditions.
In a message to Air India pilots on Thursday, Senior Vice President of Flight Operations Captain Manish Uppal stressed the importance of maintaining the confidence passengers have placed in the airline.
He said Air India has built the trust of millions of passengers and the wider community over several decades, adding that this trust remains the airline’s most important asset and must be protected and sustained.
