Air India Drug Tests Flag Two Pilots, Samples Sent for Confirmation
Two pilots from the Air India Group have returned “non-negative” results in initial psychoactive substance screening, with their samples now sent for confirmatory tests, according to a source familiar with the matter.
The development comes as Air India and Air India Express intensified pilot drug screening following an August 4 incident involving an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi. The two Tata Group-owned airlines began mandatory testing of all pilots on August 13, expanding screening beyond existing regulatory requirements.
Around 400 pilots across the group have undergone the screening so far, with two producing non-negative results during the preliminary tests. Further details, including the substances detected, were not immediately available. Air India has not issued an official comment on the latest results.
The comprehensive screening programme covers psychoactive substances and medications prohibited under prevailing aviation regulations. The initiative is part of the group’s efforts to strengthen flight safety and compliance following the recent incident.
On August 4, Air India flight AI2379, an Airbus A320neo operating from Phuket to Delhi, suddenly lost around 300 feet in altitude while cruising amid turbulence. The aircraft was carrying 145 people, including 137 passengers and eight crew members. At least 24 people were injured.
The flight’s pilot-in-command initially returned a “non-negative” result during a psychoactive substance screening. A subsequent confirmatory test detected marijuana, according to sources.
The latest screenings are being conducted across a pilot workforce of more than 5,000 personnel employed by Air India and Air India Express. Under the expanded programme, preliminary findings are subject to confirmatory testing before any definitive conclusion is reached.
The move highlights the growing focus on aviation safety, crew fitness and regulatory compliance as Air India Group continues its broader operational transformation under Tata Group ownership.