New Delhi: Days after the captain of its Phuket-Delhi flight tested positive for marijuana, the Air India Group on Thursday initiated mandatory screening of all its pilots for substances or medications prohibited under prevailing regulations.
In an internal communication, the airline said, “we have decided to undertake a full screening of all Group pilots for any substances or medications that are not permitted under prevailing regulations.”
The screening will begin from Thursday and will be conducted post-flight at Flight Briefing Centres, Air India offices, the Gurugram Academy and other locations designated by the Group for its pilots.
On Wednesday, the captain of AI2379 told investigators that he was taking ‘prescribed sleep medication’ and had been suffering from ‘sleeplessness for over a week’, sources said.
To be sure, under prevailing DGCA regulations, mandatory screening for prohibited substances is not required for all pilots. Such tests are conducted randomly or following a flight incident.
However, the airline, which has faced severe backlash following the incident, emphasised that “trust is our most important asset, and it is vital that we do all possible to protect and sustain it.”
According to government data presented in Parliament in December 2025, the Air India Group has around 8,000 pilots. Air India has 6,350 pilots, while its budget carrier, Air India Express, has 1,592 pilots.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is said to be consulting the DGCA on strengthening rules governing cases of drug abuse.
Under current DGCA regulations, a pilot who tests positive for psychoactive substances on a first offence is immediately grounded and sent for a de-addiction and rehabilitation programme. In the case of a first offence, however, the pilot can return to duty after testing negative and receiving a medical fitness certificate.