13 August,2026 05:49 PM IST | New Delhi | mid-day online correspondent
Existing regulations require airlines to randomly test at least 10 per cent of their flight crew for psychoactive substances every year. Representational pic
Air India and Air India Express will conduct mandatory psychoactive substance testing for all their pilots following reports that the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight, which suddenly lost 300 feet in altitude last week, tested positive for a psychoactive substance, according to sources.
The two Tata Group-owned airlines have more than 5,000 pilots between them.
In an internal message sent to pilots, the airlines said they had decided to undertake full screening of all Group pilots for any substances or medications not permitted under prevailing regulations.
The mandatory testing will begin on Thursday and will be conducted concurrently with training at the Gurugram Academy, post-flight at flight briefing centres, at the airlines' offices or at locations provided by respective bases, sources said.
The airlines said the initiative was being undertaken proactively to ensure the highest standards of safety and provide reassurance to passengers, stakeholders and the wider community.
Existing regulations require airlines to randomly test at least 10 per cent of their flight crew for psychoactive substances every year.
"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 internal memo said.
"Testing is mandatory and will start today."
On August 4, Air India flight AI2379, operated by an Airbus A320, suddenly lost around 300 feet in altitude amid mid-air turbulence shortly after departing from Phuket for New Delhi.
At least 24 people were injured in the incident. The aircraft had 145 people onboard, including 137 passengers and eight crew members.
The pilot-in-command reportedly tested positive for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory screening test. Sources said the pilot tested positive for marijuana.
Air India has said the test results have not been shared with the airline. Indian investigators have not commented on the reports but said they were examining evidence linked to the flight.
The investigation is being supported by Airbus and France's civil aviation safety agency, the Bureau of Enquiry, and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA).
The incident comes as Air India seeks to overhaul its operations following a series of setbacks.
The airline's reputation suffered a major blow in June 2025 when London-bound Air India Flight 171 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad, killing 241 of the 242 people onboard and 19 people on the ground.
Last week, the airline appointed former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam as its new chief executive.
(With PTI and AFP inputs)
