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Air India Pilot: Air India has taken decisive action against one of its pilots after reports emerged of the individual operating a flight from overseas to India under the influence of alcohol. According to a report by Times of India, the pilot’s services have been terminated following a positive test for alcohol consumption upon arrival in India.
Alcohol Incident Details
The incident occurred last week on the Phuket-Delhi flight, where the pilot in question tested positive for alcohol consumption during the mandatory breath analyser (BA) test upon landing in India. Airline sources, cited by Times of India, have revealed that the company is considering filing a First Information Report (FIR) against the captain of the flight, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy towards such violations.
DGCA Informed
Air India has informed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) about the incident. The airline has emphasized the gravity of the situation, highlighting that operating a flight under the influence of alcohol constitutes a criminal act.
Previous Instances
This incident comes after DGCA suspended nine pilots and thirty-two cabin crew members in 2022 for failing pre-flight breath analyser tests, indicating a recurring issue within the aviation sector that authorities are keen on addressing.
IndiGo-Air India Express Incident
At Kolkata airport, there was an incident where an IndiGo plane slightly touched the wings of an Air India Express aircraft, resulting in damage to both planes. The IndiGo flight was heading to Darbhanga, while the Air India Express plane was set to depart for Chennai. Following the incident, the DGCA launched an investigation and temporarily removed two IndiGo pilots from their duties.
Financial Penalty Imposed
Furthermore, the DGCA imposed a substantial fine of Rs. 80 lakh on Air India Limited on March 22 for violating regulations related to Flight Duty Time Limits (FDTL) and fatigue management system (FMS) concerning flight crew members.
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Non-Flying Staff Layoffs
Earlier this month, Air India made headlines for laying off over 180 non-flying staff. Responding to these reports, an Air India spokesperson clarified that these decisions were made based on organizational needs and individual merit as part of the fitment process.
