Air India Expands Mandatory Pilot Testing to Uphold Safety Standards

Air India has launched immediate substance testing for all its pilots following a safety incident last week. The move comes after the Phuket-to-Delhi flight experienced an unexpected altitude loss shortly after departure on August 4, with a preliminary report indicating the senior pilot tested positive for marijuana and had to retake the test.

Pilots at Air India Express, the airline’s budget subsidiary, will also be subject to the tests starting Thursday. While existing regulations require random testing of at least 10% of pilots, this initiative goes beyond mandatory requirements to strengthen overall safety protocols.

The incident on August 4 resulted in injuries to 17 passengers and crew, with the Airbus descending approximately 91 metres (300 feet) after takeoff. Indian authorities are conducting the investigation alongside Airbus and France’s air safety agency. Both pilots involved have been removed from duty pending the investigation’s conclusion.

In a memo reviewed by media, Air India stated the expanded testing reflects its determination to uphold the highest standards of safety and professionalism, providing reassurance to passengers, stakeholders, and the wider community. The airline has faced significant scrutiny following the June 2025 Ahmedabad-to-London flight crash, which tragically killed 241 people on board and 19 on the ground, with only one survivor.

Substance and medication tests, prohibited under aviation regulations, are being carried out alongside training sessions at Air India’s academy and at various briefing centres and offices. Last week, former Ethiopian Airlines chief executive Tewolde Gebremariam assumed the role of Air India’s new chief executive.

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