NEW DELHI, AUGUST 17: Two pilots belonging to the Air India Group returned “non-negative” results during an initial psychoactive substance screening, prompting their samples to be forwarded for secondary confirmatory testing.
The preliminary findings emerged after Air India and Air India Express initiated mandatory drug testing for all pilots on August 13, broadening screening measures beyond traditional regulatory requirements across their combined roster of over 5,000 flight crew members.
“Psychoactive substance tests have been completed for around 400 pilots of the Air India Group so far,” declared an industry source familiar with the rollout. The source added that out of those tested, the initial screening results have come “non-negative” for two pilots.
The group-wide testing initiative follows an August 4 incident involving Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi, during which an Airbus A320neo carrying 145 individuals experienced a sudden 300-foot altitude loss during cruise turbulence, resulting in minor injuries to 24 people.
“The pilot-in-command tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test,” asserted official sources while reviewing the earlier safety investigation, noting that the commander had also initially returned a “non-negative” result prior to laboratory confirmation.
The ongoing comprehensive screening covers a broad range of substances and medications prohibited under prevailing aviation regulations, with official results from the two latest secondary tests still awaited.
