Air India has announced it will immediately begin testing all its pilots for banned substances, a move prompted by a recent incident involving a sudden loss of altitude on a Phuket to Delhi flight.
The preliminary investigation revealed that the senior pilot on that flight had previously tested positive for marijuana, raising safety concerns. The airline's budget division, Air India Express, will also start testing its pilots from Thursday.
Previously, regulations required only a random 10% of pilots to be tested. However, following the incident on 4 August—where an Airbus aircraft dropped approximately 91 metres shortly after takeoff, injuring 17 passengers and crew—Air India has opted for more extensive checks.
Both pilots involved in the incident have been suspended pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation, which is being conducted jointly by Indian authorities, Airbus, and France's air safety agency.
In an internal memo, Air India emphasized that this expanded testing surpasses regulatory requirements and underscores the airline's commitment to maintaining the highest safety and professional standards. The tests will cover banned substances and prohibited medications and will be conducted alongside training sessions at the airline's academy and other facilities.
This development comes amid heightened scrutiny of Air India after a tragic crash in June 2025 involving a flight from Ahmedabad to London that resulted in 260 fatalities, with only one survivor.
Last week, former Ethiopian Airlines CEO Tewolde Gebremariam was appointed as Air India's new chief executive, signaling a potential shift in leadership focus towards safety and operational excellence.
