Now Reading: DGCA to mandate 25% random drug tests for flight crew
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DGCA to mandate 25% random drug tests for flight crew
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) plans to mandate that airlines randomly test more than 25% of flight crew for psychoactive substances every year, up from the current 10%, sources told Times Now. The move follows the August 4 Air India flight AI-2379 from Phuket to Delhi that lost altitude suddenly, injuring 20 passengers and four crew. The pilot-in-command returned a non-negative preliminary screening result for cannabis, confirmatory test results are awaited, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said. Air India has since begun mandatory screening of all its group pilots.
Air India Express has introduced a voluntary self-declaration process for employees to report psychoactive substance use, citing the DGCA's civil aviation requirements, The Hindu Businessline reported. IndiGo CEO Willie Walsh said at the airline's AGM that IndiGo already tests 20% of its pilots annually for substance abuse, exceeding the current DGCA mandate, the same outlet reported. The Federation of Indian Pilots has submitted a representation seeking oral-fluid testing as a complementary method and a risk-based hybrid model.
Indian Opinion Analysis
Pro-government framings (Times Now, Hindustan Times) lead with the DGCA's planned tightening of rules, presenting the incident as a trigger for stronger regulation. Government-critical or sensationalist angles (BBC) focus on the scientific uncertainty of cannabis testing and the lack of a direct link to the altitude loss. The Hindu Businessline's coverage is neutral-report, emphasising airline-level responses and existing compliance. The measured middle ground: the policy response is real and swift, but the investigation into the root cause of the altitude drop remains open, and the science of impairment testing is unresolved. Watch for the AAIB's preliminary report expected within 10 days.
Coverage: 6 sources, 2 pro-government, 4 neutral
Sources (6): bbc.co.uk (neutral report), scmp.com (neutral report), hindustantimes.com (pro government), thehindubusinessline.com (neutral report), timesnownews.com (pro government), thehindubusinessline.com (2) (neutral report)
This story was synthesised by AI from the 6 sources linked above. Methodology and corrections.
Updated: this story now draws on 6 sources.
