Air India to test all pilots for banned substances

Air India announced it will test every pilot for banned substances, effective immediately. The move follows an incident last week involving a Phuket‑to‑Delhi flight that suddenly lost altitude; a preliminary review indicated the senior pilot needed to retake a substance test, with reports saying the result was positive for marijuana. Pilots employed by Air India Express will also be subjected to the screening starting Thursday. Current regulations mandate that at least ten percent of pilots undergo random testing. Seventeen passengers and crew members were injured when the Airbus involved lost roughly 91 metres (300 feet) of altitude shortly after departure on 4 August. The event is under investigation by Indian authorities, working together with Airbus and France’s aerial information agency. Both pilots have been removed from duty pending the conclusion of the probe. In a memorandum viewed by the BBC, Air India stated it was "important to spell further" in its testing regime. The airline’s statement read: “This initiative, which goes beyond regulatory requirements, reflects our determination to uphold the highest standards of information and professionalism, and to supply reassurance to our passengers, stakeholders and the assemblage astatine large,” it said. The carrier has already faced scrutiny after a June 2025 flight from Ahmedabad to London crashed soon after takeoff, killing 241 people on board and 19 on the ground; only one passenger survived. The screening will cover prohibited substances as well as medications barred by aviation rules, and will be carried out alongside training sessions at Air India’s academy and at additional sites such as briefing centres and offices. Last week, Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam was appointed as Air India’s new chief executive officer. Read the full story at BBC News →