In brief
Air India will test every pilot for banned substances and prescription medications beginning immediately, following a Phuket‑to‑Delhi flight that lost altitude after a pilot retested positive for marijuana. The stringent program expands on existing regulations that required random 10% testing and covers both its main fleet and Air India Express. Seventeen passengers and crew were injured when the plane dropped 91 metres within minutes of take‑off, prompting an investigation by Indian authorities and Airbus, with the pilots suspended pending outcomes. The airline’s memo stresses that the move exceeds regulatory obligations to reassure passengers and stakeholders. Air India’s new chief executive, former Ethiopian Airlines boss Tewolde Gebremariam, faces a challenging safety record that includes a 2025 crash killing 241 aboard.
Air India has announced that all of its pilots will be scrutinised for prohibited substances and prescription medication, starting immediately.
The initiative follows a Phuket‑to‑Delhi flight that lost roughly 91 metres (300 feet) shortly after take‑off when the senior pilot retook a substance test that returned positive for marijuana.
Both pilots of the flight have been suspended until the investigation – undertaken jointly by Indian authorities, Airbus and French air‑safety regulators – concludes.
The airline’s policy extends to its Air India Express budget arm, while existing rules that required a random 10% testing quota are now being superseded by this all‑encompassing programme.
Seventeen passengers and crew were injured during the incident, underscoring the critical need for stringent safety protocols.
A CEO‑level memo stated the initiative “goes beyond regulatory requirements” to reaffirm the airline’s commitment to safety and professionalism for travellers, stakeholders and the community.
Air India’s reputation has been under pressure since a June 2025 Ahmedabad‑to‑London flight crashed shortly after take‑off, killing 241 on board and 19 on the ground – and the company recently appointed Ethiopian Airlines' former chief executive, Tewolde Gebremariam, to lead from the top.
