(Adnkronos) – Air India pilots will undergo mandatory drug tests starting today, after a commander involved in a serious flight incident reportedly tested positive for cannabis. This is reported in an internal document, seen by AFP.
Current regulations require airlines to randomly drug test at least 10% of their crews each year to detect the presence of psychoactive substances.
“We have decided to subject all pilots in the group to a comprehensive screening, to detect any substances or drugs not authorized by current regulations,” the memo states. “These tests are mandatory and will begin today,” it specifies.
On August 4, 24 passengers were injured when an Airbus A320 lost about 91 meters of altitude shortly after takeoff from Phuket, Thailand, bound for New Delhi. According to local media, the commander allegedly smoked cannabis and tested positive in a second test.
Air India stated that it has not yet received the results. Indian authorities have not commented on the news but have communicated that they are carefully examining the evidence collected in relation to the flight.
