Air India has taken decisive action by firing a pilot who was found to have consumed alcohol after operating a flight returning to India from abroad.
The airline, owned by the Tata group, has also announced plans to file a police report against the captain who piloted a flight from Phuket to Delhi last week. After landing, the pilot underwent a breathalyser test which indicated alcohol consumption.
While Air India has yet to comment on the issue, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been notified.
"We have a strict policy against such behavior and have acted decisively by terminating the pilot's employment and intending to file a police report as flying under the influence is a criminal offense. The DGCA has been informed," said sources within the airline.
The pilot was reportedly conducting a training flight for a new captain. Unlike domestic flights within India where alcohol is not served, international flights do offer alcohol to passengers, leading to post-flight alcohol tests for flight crew. In the first half of 2023, 33 pilots and 97 cabin crew members failed their alcohol tests.
For those failing the test for the first time, their license is suspended for three months. Subsequent failures result in a three-year license suspension, and a third violation leads to license revocation.
Air India Express Expands Summer Flight Offerings Amid Rising Travel Demand
Tata-Owned Air India Cuts 180 Jobs, Cites Business Streamlining