World · India Bureau
Air India Terminates Captain After Positive Drug Test on Phuket Route
Air India has terminated the Pilot-in-Command of its Phuket-Delhi service following a positive test for a banned psychoactive substance. The airline said the decision was effective immediately.
LSN India ·
The captain's employment was ended after testing positive for a controlled substance, Air India confirmed. The pilot was operating the carrier's regular service between Phuket International Airport and Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport.
The airline did not disclose further details regarding the circumstances of the test or the specific substance involved. However, the swift termination underscores the carrier's zero-tolerance stance on substance abuse among flight crew members.
Air India's action aligns with international aviation safety protocols, which mandate rigorous testing and certification standards for pilots. The presence of psychoactive substances in a pilot's system is considered a serious breach of safety regulations and operational standards.
The development comes as India's aviation sector continues to emphasize crew wellness and safety compliance. Air India, the country's flagship carrier, has previously instituted robust monitoring programmes to ensure compliance with regulatory requirements across its operations.