Air India to screen all pilots for prohibited substances from Aug 13 after Phuket-Delhi incident

NEW DELHI: Air India will undertake comprehensive screening of all its pilots for prohibited substances and medications from Thursday, August 13, 2026, the airline announced. The decision marks a significant escalation in the airline's internal safety checks, moving beyond the random and suspicion-based testing commonly practiced in the Indian aviation industry.

The move comes days after Air India flight AI 2379 from Phuket to Delhi encountered a momentary loss of altitude and a series of technical snags that resulted in 24 passengers suffering injuries. According to sources familiar with the matter, the pilot-in-command subsequently tested positive for marijuana during a screening conducted after the incident. The airline has not officially confirmed or denied the report, and the incident remains under investigation.

The plan was conveyed to the airline's cockpit crew through an email from Manish Uppal, Senior Vice President, Flight Operations. "This initiative, which goes beyond regulatory requirements, reflects our determination to uphold the highest standards of safety and professionalism, and to provide reassurance to our passengers, stakeholders and community at large," the email said.

The testing will be conducted either during pilot training sessions at Air India's Gurgaon Academy or post-flight at airports and other locations directed by the airline's various bases. The airline has said the screenings will cover all pilots and will be scheduled so as not to disrupt flight operations.

While the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has long required alcohol breathalyzer tests for crew before flight duties and permits drug testing under specific circumstances, a full-scale mandatory screening of an entire pilot cadre by an Indian carrier is unprecedented in recent memory. Air India has not disclosed the list of substances or medications that will be tested, nor has it specified the window within which all pilots will be screened.

Aviation safety experts have welcomed the initiative but caution that testing alone is not a cure-all. "Comprehensive drug testing is a necessary step, but it must be complemented by robust mental health support, fatigue management, and a culture that encourages pilots to self-report without fear of punitive action," said an independent aviation safety analyst who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The reported positive test for marijuana has also drawn attention to the prevalence of psychoactive substances in society and their potential to affect professional performance. In India, the use of cannabis and its derivatives is illegal except for limited medical and industrial contexts. For pilots, even traces of any prohibited substance in the body can render them unfit for duty under DGCA rules.

Air India, which was taken over by the Tata Group in 2022, has been working to rebuild its safety and service reputation. The airline recently placed large orders for new aircraft and is expanding its international network. Industry observers say the decision to proactively test all pilots is part of a wider effort to restore passenger confidence and meet global safety benchmarks.

As the August 13 deadline approaches, pilots are being informed about the procedure and their rights. Air India has assured employees that the process will be handled confidentially and that pilots will be given the opportunity to explain any legitimate prescription medications. The full screening is expected to take several weeks, given that the airline employs over 4,000 pilots. Any pilot who tests positive will be dealt with according to law and company policy, which could include grounding, suspension, or termination.

The announcement may prompt other Indian carriers to evaluate their own testing policies. Passengers have reacted with mixed feelings, with some appreciating the airline's proactive step and others demanding greater transparency about the incident. The outcome of the full-screening initiative could set a precedent for the Indian aviation industry.