Government weighs wider drug screening after Air India pilot tests positive for marijuana
The Centre is considering mandatory random dope tests for pilots at least once a year following the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight incident that put renewed focus on drug screening and pilot safety. Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu said the government is examining the proposal as part of efforts to strengthen aviation safety standards.
The move comes after the pilot-in-command of Air India flight AI2379, which was travelling from Phuket to Delhi, tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory test following the August 4 incident in which the aircraft suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude and 24 people were injured.
Centre weighs wider drug testing for pilots
At present, DGCA regulations require random testing of a prescribed proportion of flight crew for psychoactive substances. The proposed change could expand testing to all pilots at least once every year, significantly widening the existing safety net.
Air India has already gone beyond the regulatory requirement by ordering substance screening for all pilots across Air India and Air India Express. The airline’s decision followed the Phuket-Delhi incident and subsequent scrutiny of pilot fitness.
The Federation of Indian Pilots has also sought an increase in annual random testing coverage, proposing that the proportion be raised from the current 10 per cent to 20-25 per cent, along with additional safeguards in the testing process.
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