Winning Bizness Desk

Mumbai.Air India pilot suspended after alcohol test in Zurich before Delhi flight, airline invokes zero-tolerance safety policy

An Air India pilot was suspended after being found under the influence of alcohol before operating a Zurich-Delhi flight on September 6. The pilot was removed from duty after a mandatory pre-flight alcohol test confirmed the presence of alcohol.

The pilot was scheduled to operate Air India flight AI-151 from Zurich to Delhi. Ground staff noticed the smell of alcohol before take-off and alerted airline officials. The pilot was then taken off the aircraft and sent back to India on the same flight.

Air India has kept the pilot under suspension pending completion of the investigation.

Ground staff alerted officials before take-off

The incident took place on September 6 at Zurich airport. According to the details available, ground staff detected the smell of alcohol from the pilot before the flight was due to depart.

The staff reported the matter to the concerned officials, following which the pilot was removed from the aircraft. The mandatory alcohol test conducted before departure subsequently confirmed that the pilot had consumed alcohol. The incident affected the scheduled operation of AI-151, which could not operate from Zurich to Delhi as planned.

Air India reiterates strict zero-tolerance safety policy

Air India said it follows a zero-tolerance policy towards violations involving safety, rules and established protocols. The airline said strict action is taken whenever such violations are found. It also said all crew members are instructed to follow the highest safety standards.

Air India conducts awareness programmes from time to time to reinforce these requirements among its employees.

The airline has suspended the pilot while the investigation into the incident continues.

Swiss aviation authorities also confirmed action

The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) confirmed that action was taken against the pilot under Swiss regulations. The Swiss authority also informed India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) about the incident.

The case therefore involves regulatory action in Switzerland as well as follow-up by Indian aviation authorities. Rules governing alcohol testing can differ depending on where a flight originates and the stage at which testing is carried out.

Pre-flight testing rules differ for international operations

For pilots operating flights from India, drug and alcohol testing before departure is mandatory.

For flights arriving in India from foreign destinations, such testing is generally carried out after landing.

The Zurich incident came to light because the pilot was subjected to the mandatory procedure before the scheduled departure.

The test established the presence of alcohol and prevented the pilot from operating the flight.

Air India faced another pilot drug-test case earlier

The Zurich incident is not the first recent case involving an Air India pilot and substance testing. On August 4, the commander of an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight reportedly tested positive for drugs twice. The Phuket-Delhi flight had descended to around 300 feet. There were 145 people on board, with more than 20 passengers and four crew members reported injured.

The pilot said he had been suffering from sleep problems and was taking medication on medical advice. He said he tried to sleep but could not and subsequently took the medicine.

DGCA rules prohibit alcohol before flying

DGCA regulations impose strict restrictions on alcohol consumption by pilots and other crew members.

Under Rule 24 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, a pilot or crew member is prohibited from consuming alcohol or any intoxicating substance within 12 hours before a flight. Consumption during a flight is also prohibited.

The rules are aimed at ensuring that pilots report for duty without the effects of alcohol or other prohibited substances.

Mandatory medical checks cover several safety areas

Pilots undergo different medical examinations and substance-related tests during their aviation careers. The key checks include:

• Class 2 Medical: Required for a Student Pilot Licence and before flight training begins.
• Class 1 Medical: Required for a Commercial Pilot Licence and airline pilots. It covers physical health, mental health, eyesight, hearing and cardiac-related conditions.
• Breath-analysing test: Conducted before flights and after landing to check for alcohol. The permitted alcohol level is effectively zero under aviation safety requirements.
• Psychoactive substance test: Pilots are also subject to testing for drugs and other psychoactive substances. Random testing is conducted to check whether a pilot is under the influence of prohibited substances.

Pilot safety checks remain central to flight operations

The Zurich incident has brought the mandatory alcohol-testing process into focus once again. The pilot was removed from duty after the test confirmed alcohol consumption, and Air India has suspended him while the investigation is completed.

Swiss aviation authorities have also taken action under local regulations and informed India's DGCA. Air India has reiterated that violations of safety rules and protocols are dealt with under its zero-tolerance policy.