# Air India Express suspends eight crew over delayed breathalyser test

2026-09-18T06:22:25+00:00 | Governance | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 4 independent outlets

Air India Express has suspended eight crew members for three months after they missed the mandatory post-flight breathalyser test deadline. The crew, including four pilots, operated two flights from the UAE to Amritsar on August 2. They were required to complete the test within two hours of landing but submitted it after two hours and 35 minutes, a 35-minute delay. The airline voluntarily reported the violation to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which also suspended their licences. Blood and urine tests later confirmed all eight tested negative for alcohol and psychoactive substances. Times Now reports the airline tested for deliberate delay. The action follows a serious in-flight incident on an Air India Phuket-Delhi flight last month, where the pilot tested positive for marijuana. The Civil Aviation Minister has since said the government is considering annual dope tests for all pilots, replacing the current random testing of 10 percent.

## Indian Opinion Analysis

The Times of India and Gulf News present the suspension as routine enforcement of DGCA rules, while Times Now adds that the airline tested for deliberate delay, implying a harder line. India Today connects the incident to the Phuket pilot's positive marijuana test and the resulting policy shift toward mandatory annual screening. All sources confirm the crew tested negative, which the critical framing downplays. The DGCA's one-time pilot screening directive, due by July 2027, is the concrete next measure after this case and the Phuket incident together tightened scrutiny on substance testing in Indian aviation.

## Coverage

- timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/air-india-express-suspends-8-crew-members-for-missing-post-flight-declaration-deadline/articleshow/134324269.cms>
  Straight report on the suspension and DGCA rules.
- indiatoday.in (neutral report) <https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/air-india-express-crew-suspension-eight-suspended-over-delayed-post-flight-declaration-dubai-amritsar-flight-2997301-2026-09-18?utm_source=rss>
  Leads with the suspension then adds broader context.
- gulfnews.com (neutral report) <https://gulfnews.com/world/asia/india/air-india-express-suspends-8-crew-over-post-flight-breathalyser-deadline-1.500679052>
  Frames the news around enforcement and policy context.
- timesnownews.com (neutral report) <https://www.timesnownews.com/india/air-india-express-8-crew-suspended-for-3-months-after-missing-mandatory-breath-analyser-test-article-156179391>
  Adds that airline tested for deliberate delay.

Tags: Air India Express, Amritsar, DGCA, Dubai, K Rammohan Naidu
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