Two more Air India pilots fail drug test after Phuket incident

Two more Air India pilots have tested non-negative for psychoactive substances in a mandatory screening of about 350 pilots, Hindustan Times reported citing sources. The tests follow an airline-wide 100 per cent screening programme announced on August 13, after the commander of a Phuket-Delhi flight tested positive for marijuana in both initial and confirmatory tests. India Today also confirmed the two new non-negative results from sources.

Air India began full screening after Manish Uppal, head of flight operations, ordered testing for all group pilots for any prohibited substances or medications. The programme covers both Air India and Air India Express pilots and is conducted at the Gurugram academy, Flight Briefing Centres, and other designated locations. The two latest non-negative results do not mean a confirmed positive, and further testing under aviation rules may be required, Hindustan Times reported.

The screening follows the August 4 incident involving Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi, which suddenly lost about 300 feet while cruising. The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau is probing the incident. The pilot-in-command, who tested positive for marijuana, has been removed from flying duties. He reportedly said he had sleep issues and was taking prescribed medication.