Air India to test all pilots for banned substances

Air India has announced a nationwide testing programme for all its pilots following an incident where a Phuket‑to‑Delhi flight lost altitude shortly after departure. The senior pilot on that flight had to retake a substance test, which resulted in a positive finding for marijuana, prompting the airline to expand its testing beyond the regulatory minimum of 10 % random pilots.

Pilots at the airline’s budget arm, Air India Express, will also be subject to the tests from Thursday. The 17 passengers and crew who were injured in the incident—which involved an Airbus falling about 91 metres shortly after take‑off—are receiving treatment while the investigation is ongoing.

Both pilots have been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation, which is being jointly conducted by Indian authorities and France’s aviation safety agency. In a memo released to staff, Air India said the new initiative demonstrates a commitment to uphold the highest safety standards and reassure passengers, stakeholders and the wider community.

The airline has previously faced scrutiny over a June 2025 crash that claimed 241 lives and a single survivor. The new drug‑testing drive is part of a broader safety overhaul that includes training sessions at the company’s academy and briefing centres.

Air India’s new CEO, former Ethiopian Airlines chief, has led the initiative, underscoring the importance of safety leadership during a period of renewed focus on operational integrity.