New Delhi: An Air India pilot was briefly detained at Vancouver airport in Canada last week after concerns were raised about his condition just before a scheduled departure, leading to a delay of a Delhi-bound flight.

The incident occurred on December 23, days ahead of Christmas, when the pilot was preparing to operate Air India’s flight from Vancouver to the national capital.

According to reports, a staff member at the airport’s duty-free outlet alerted Canadian authorities after either noticing the smell of alcohol on the pilot or observing him purchasing alcohol at the store. Following the alert, local officials conducted a breath analyser test, which the pilot reportedly did not clear. He was then taken in for further questioning, according to reports.

Air India later confirmed that the delay was caused after authorities expressed doubts about the pilot’s ability to perform his duties. “Flight AI186 from Vancouver to Delhi on 23 December 2025 experienced a last-minute delay after one of the cockpit crew members was offloaded prior to departure. Canadian authorities raised concerns regarding the pilot's fitness for duty, following which the crew member was taken for further inquiry,” the airline said, as reported by Times of India. An alternative pilot was arranged in line with safety procedures, resulting in the delayed take-off.

The airline expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to passengers and stated that it is cooperating with the ongoing inquiry. The pilot has been removed from flying duties while the matter is examined. Air India reiterated that any breach of rules, if established, would invite strict action, underlining that passenger safety remains its top priority, the report added.

In a separate case, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a show-cause notice to another Air India cockpit crew. The notice relates to multiple flights operated between Delhi and Tokyo despite what the regulator described as serious compliance lapses. The pilots concerned have been asked to submit their response within two weeks.