In a decisive move to ensure passenger safety, Air India, one of India’s leading airlines has announced that pilots testing positive for alcohol levels exceeding 0.02 grams per 210 liters of breath during pre-flight checks will face immediate termination. This stringent policy surpasses the existing guidelines set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which currently mandates a three-month suspension for first-time offenders.
Escalating Concerns Over Alcohol Violations
The aviation industry has witnessed a troubling rise in alcohol-related violations among flight crew. According to DGCA data, 33 pilots and 97 cabin crew members failed mandatory alcohol tests in the first half of 2023, a significant increase from 14 pilots and 54 cabin crew members during the same period in 2022. An Right To Information (RTI) application by aviation researcher Chandrashekhar Gaur further revealed that between 2020 and 2024, 724 crew members, including pilots, tested positive for intoxicants, with the number of drunk pilots doubling from 26 in 2020 to 54 in 2024.
DGCA’s Regulatory Framework
The DGCA has established a tiered penalty system for alcohol violations:
- First Offense: Three-month suspension of the pilot’s license.
- Second Offense: Three-year suspension.
- Third Offense: Permanent revocation of the license.
Additionally, the DGCA has revised its Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) to enhance safety measures. Crew members are now prohibited from using products like mouthwash or tooth gel containing alcohol before flights, as these can result in false positives during breath analyzer tests.
Industry-Wide Implications
Air India’s stringent policy sets a new precedent in the Indian aviation sector. While other airlines currently adhere to DGCA’s existing regulations, Air India’s move may prompt a re-evaluation of internal policies across the industry. The airline’s decision underscores a commitment to passenger safety and operational integrity.
Other Airlines’ Alcohol Policies
While Air India has adopted a zero-tolerance stance, other Indian carriers have also taken measures to address alcohol violations among pilots:
- IndiGo: India’s largest airline by market share, IndiGo conducts pre-employment and random drug testing for flight crew. Pilots found violating alcohol policies face suspension and are subjected to alcohol dependency checks.
- SpiceJet: SpiceJet enforces DGCA regulations, grounding pilots who fail pre-flight alcohol tests. In 2017, the DGCA canceled the flying license of a SpiceJet pilot after he tested positive for alcohol three times.
Summing Up
Air India’s zero-tolerance approach to alcohol consumption among pilots marks a significant shift in the airline’s operational policies, emphasizing the paramount importance of passenger safety. As the aviation industry grapples with increasing instances of alcohol violations, such decisive actions may pave the way for more rigorous standards and enforcement mechanisms across the sector.
