Phuket-Delhi flight incident: Air India to screen over 5,000 pilots in wider drug testing exercise
New Delhi: Air India and Air India Express will conduct mandatory psychoactive substance testing for all their pilots from Thursday, following reports that the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight tested positive for marijuana after the aircraft suddenly lost altitude.
The two Tata Group-owned airlines have more than 5,000 pilots combined. The comprehensive screening is aimed at checking for substances or medications prohibited under prevailing aviation regulations.
In an internal communication to pilots, the airlines said they had decided to undertake a full screening of all Group pilots.
"We have decided to undertake a full screening of all Group pilots for any substances or medications that are not permitted under prevailing regulations," the memo said.
"Testing is mandatory and will start today."
The screening will be conducted alongside training at the Gurugram Academy, as well as post-flight at flight briefing centres, airline offices and locations designated by the respective bases.
Sources said the exercise was being carried out proactively to maintain high safety standards and reassure passengers, stakeholders and the wider community.
Existing rules require random testing
Indian aviation regulations already require airlines to randomly test at least 10 per cent of their flight crew for psychoactive substances every year.
The latest decision goes beyond that requirement by covering all pilots of the two Air India Group airlines.
The move follows the August 4 incident involving Air India flight AI2379, which was operating from Phuket in Thailand to New Delhi with an Airbus A320.
Phuket-Delhi flight lost 300 feet
The aircraft suddenly lost about 300 feet (91 metres) in altitude amid mid-air turbulence, injuring at least 24 people.
There were 145 people on board, including 137 passengers and eight crew members.
The pilot-in-command reportedly tested positive for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory screening test. Sources said the substance was marijuana.
However, Air India has said the test results have not been shared with the airline.
Local media reports had earlier said the captain tested positive for marijuana in a second confirmatory test. Indian investigators have not commented on those reports.
The investigation into the incident is continuing, with authorities examining evidence linked to the flight.
Airbus and French agency assisting inquiry
The investigation is being supported by aircraft manufacturer Airbus and France's civil aviation safety agency, the Bureau of Enquiry and Analysis for Civil Aviation Safety (BEA).
The incident has added scrutiny to Air India's operations as the airline works to overhaul its safety and operational systems.
Air India suffered one of its worst setbacks in June 2025 when London-bound flight AI171 crashed shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad.
The Boeing 787-8 aircraft was carrying 242 people. All but one person on board were killed, while 19 people on the ground also died.
The airline appointed former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam as its new chief executive last week, as it continues efforts to strengthen its operations.