# Air India, AI Express start mandatory drug tests for all pilots 2026-08-14T01:42:25+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 3 independent outlets From Thursday, Air India and Air India Express are conducting mandatory psychoactive substance screening for all their over 5,000 pilots. The move follows the pilot-in-command of the August 4 Phuket-Delhi flight testing positive for marijuana. The aircraft had suddenly lost 300 feet in altitude, injuring 24 people. The screening covers training centres, flight briefing points and airline offices. Sources say the DGCA is reviewing its rules and may impose stricter consequences including licence suspension and criminal action. The ministry wants 'exemplary action' and greater airline responsibility for compliance. Currently, rules require at least 10% of crew to be tested annually. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is also considering increasing random drug tests for aviation personnel. ## Coverage - thehindubusinessline.com - businesstoday.in - timesofindia.indiatimes.com Tags: Air India, civil aviation, marijuana, pilot drug test, safety rules Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/air-india-ai-express-to-test-all-5000-pilots-for-psychoactive-substances/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/air-india-ai-express-to-test-all-5000-pilots-for-psychoactive-substances/#story-in-brief Review state: restored archive article, accurate at time of publication, not offered to search indexes.