New Delhi, August 13, 2026: Air India has ordered mandatory drug and dope testing for all its pilots following a controversy involving the captain of a Phuket-Delhi flight who tested positive for marijuana.
The testing will cover pilots from both Air India and Air India Express and has started across the airline group. According to an internal communication, the airline said the move goes beyond existing regulatory requirements and is aimed at strengthening safety standards and restoring passenger confidence.
Air India Begins Screening of All Pilots
In a letter to employees, Air India said it already follows the drug-testing requirements prescribed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). However, the airline has now decided to conduct additional screening for substances and medications that are not permitted under aviation regulations.
The tests will be conducted at multiple locations, including the Gurugram training academy, flight briefing centres and airline offices.
Air India said the initiative is intended to maintain high standards of safety and professionalism across the group.
Air India Express has also asked employees to voluntarily disclose any use, misuse or dependence on psychoactive substances that could affect their fitness to perform their duties safely. The airline said such disclosures would be treated confidentially and shared only with authorised officials.
Phuket-Delhi Flight Incident
The decision comes days after the captain of Air India flight AI-2379, operating from Phuket to Delhi, reportedly tested positive for marijuana twice.
The flight, carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, encountered a sudden loss of altitude over Odisha on August 4. The aircraft reportedly dropped around 300 feet, leaving at least 20 passengers and four crew members injured.
According to an incident report, the captain was not in his seat when the aircraft experienced the sudden altitude loss, with the co-pilot in command at the time.
After landing in Delhi, sources reportedly said the captain appeared unsteady and needed assistance while providing a urine sample for testing.
Pilot Cited Sleep Difficulties and Medication
In a statement included in an internal flight safety report, the pilot reportedly said he had been experiencing difficulties sleeping because of personal circumstances and had been prescribed medication by his family doctor.
He said that during the layover he attempted to rest but could not sleep easily. According to his statement, he decided to take a light walk, believing it could help improve his sleep.
The pilot also raised concerns about the scheduling of his duties. He said that although the roster was within prescribed legal rest limits, the timing had reduced the amount of daytime rest available to him.
Air India Faces Increased Safety Scrutiny
The latest testing initiative comes as Air India faces increased scrutiny over pilot fitness, drug testing and flight safety procedures.
By expanding screening to all pilots, the airline is seeking to demonstrate that it is taking a stricter approach to substances that could potentially affect a pilot’s ability to operate an aircraft safely.
The development is also likely to draw attention to existing DGCA regulations on drug and alcohol testing among aviation personnel, as authorities examine the circumstances surrounding the Phuket-Delhi incident.
