Air India has suspended a pilot after a failed breathalyzer test in Zurich, which grounded flight AI151 bound for Delhi. This follows a recent termination of another pilot for a positive drug test, raising concerns about operational safety. The airline is now increasing mandatory substance testing and strengthening safety oversight under new management.
Air India has suspended a pilot following a failed breathalyzer test in Zurich, Switzerland, on September 6. Ground staff at the airport identified signs of impairment before the flight AI151 to Delhi was scheduled to depart, leading to an immediate intervention. The airline utilized its internal safety management system to notify Zurich airport authorities, preventing the flight from taking off with an impaired crew. The pilot was subsequently removed from duty and returned to India as a passenger, pending the results of a formal medical investigation and disciplinary review.
The incident has brought increased attention to the airline's safety and compliance protocols, especially as it follows another disciplinary case involving a pilot. Last month, Air India terminated a pilot-in-command of a flight from Phuket to Delhi after testing revealed the presence of psychoactive substances. That specific incident remains under scrutiny following an investigation by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau into a sudden mid-flight altitude loss that caused injuries to 24 passengers. While the two events are separate, they underscore a challenging period for the airline regarding pilot conduct and flight safety.
Regulatory bodies are now involved, with the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation confirming it coordinated with India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation to address the breach. Under the ownership of the Tata Group, Air India has been working to improve its operational standards and internal controls. However, repeat incidents of this nature can lead to heightened regulatory oversight and increased operational costs as the airline invests further in comprehensive safety training and more frequent, random substance testing for its entire flight crew.
For the airline, the business risk lies in potential reputational damage and the long-term cost of maintaining stricter safety accountability. Investors and aviation industry observers will likely monitor whether these expanded safety initiatives effectively reduce such incidents in the future. The management’s next steps, including the findings of the pending medical investigation and the enforcement of stricter compliance measures, will be the key indicators of how the company intends to manage its growing safety challenges.