The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has ordered airlines to conduct drug testing of pilots across carriers, with the exercise to be completed by July 2027, sources said. The move follows an Air India incident in which the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight tested positive for a psychoactive substance after an in-flight emergency that left 24 people injured.

Separately, Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu said on Thursday that the aviation regulator was expected to finalise revised norms for testing pilots for psychoactive substances by the end of September, following consultations with stakeholders.

Drug Testing To Cover Pilots Across Airlines

According to sources, the DGCA directed airlines last month to conduct drug tests for their pilots and complete the exercise by July next year.

The testing drive will cover pilots working across India’s commercial airlines. More than 12,000 pilots are employed by various carriers in the country.

At present, airlines conduct testing on a random basis. Under existing Civil Aviation Requirements, carriers are required to test 10 per cent of pilots, air traffic controllers and certain other personnel annually for psychoactive substances.

Revised Testing Norms Expected This Month

Speaking on the sidelines of a conference in New Delhi on Thursday, Naidu said the draft of the revised Civil Aviation Requirements for psychoactive substance testing was expected to be finalised by the end of September.

He said the revised norms would be prepared after discussions with stakeholders.

The proposed changes come amid increased scrutiny of substance use among aviation personnel following the serious incident involving an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi in August.

Air India Group Ordered Testing After August Incident

In August, the Air India Group also decided to conduct drug tests for all pilots across Air India and Air India Express following the incident.

The Phuket-Delhi flight was involved in a serious in-flight event on August 4.

According to a preliminary report released by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau on September 4, the aircraft was cruising at 36,000 feet when it suffered the near-simultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems.

The failure resulted in the autopilot disconnecting, a brief stall warning and an altitude upset.

The aircraft was carrying 145 people, and 24 people were injured in the incident.

AAIB Flags Pilot’s Positive Test As Serious Concern

The AAIB report said the pilot-in-command tested non-negative for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test conducted after the flight.

The investigation agency described the confirmed use of a psychoactive substance as a serious concern and recommended that the DGCA take appropriate action on priority to prevent the abuse of such substances.

Hours after the AAIB released its report on September 4, Air India confirmed that the pilot-in-command had tested positive for a psychoactive substance.

Air India Terminates Pilot’s Employment

Air India terminated the pilot’s employment with immediate effect, citing its zero-tolerance approach towards violations of safety, fitness and regulatory requirements.

The DGCA’s decision to expand drug testing across commercial airlines and its proposed revision of existing testing rules come amid renewed regulatory attention on screening pilots for the use of psychoactive substances.

The revised norms are expected to provide an updated framework for such testing as aviation authorities and airlines strengthen oversight of flight crew fitness and safety.

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