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Air India Express Crew Suspended for Breathalyser Test Delay
18 Sep
Summary
- Eight crew members suspended for failing to meet breathalyser test deadline.
- Delay in post-flight declaration caused the suspension of all eight members.
- This incident follows a previous case of a pilot testing positive for marijuana.
Eight crew members, including four pilots, from Air India Express have been suspended after failing to adhere to a mandatory post-flight breathalyser test requirement. The incident involved the Dubai-Amritsar flight on August 2, where the crew missed the prescribed two-hour window for their declaration after landing at Amritsar's Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport.
Their declaration was submitted 35 minutes late, exceeding the two-hour limit. This violation led to the airline reporting the matter to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) and suspending all eight individuals from duty. This development occurs amidst heightened scrutiny following a separate incident last month.
A pilot from Air India, the sister company, reportedly tested positive for marijuana after a flight from Phuket to Delhi. In response to these events, a dope test has been made mandatory for all pilots within the Air India group. This measure extends beyond regulatory requirements, emphasizing the airline's commitment to safety and professionalism.
Air India Express' Chief of Flight Safety has encouraged pilots to voluntarily self-declare the use of any psychoactive substances that might impact their fitness for duty. These self-declarations will be handled confidentially, with access restricted to specific senior medical and HR personnel, reinforcing the airline's dedication to maintaining stringent safety protocols.
