NEW DELHI, Sept 25: An Air India pilot was suspended after he failed a breathalyser test at Zurich Airport before he was scheduled to operate a flight to Delhi.
The incident happened on September 6, officials said on Friday.
The pilot was scheduled to operate Air India flight AI151 from Zurich to Delhi. According to officials, the pilot smelled of alcohol at the airport, following which airline officials voluntarily informed local authorities and necessary action was taken.
The pilot was immediately removed from operating duties after local authorities reported a preliminary breathalyser test result and was referred for further medical evaluation, officials said.
He was subsequently repatriated to India as a passenger and remains under suspension pending the final medical examination report and completion of the investigation. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken based on the findings, officials said. Air India did not issue an official statement on the matter.
A spokesperson for the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) said necessary measures were taken in accordance with applicable national and international regulations. “The operator and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India (DGCA) have been informed accordingly. As a result, flight AI151 from Zurich to Delhi could not be operated as scheduled,” the spokesperson said. The spokesperson added that responsibility for further handling of the case lies with the DGCA as the competent authority of the state of the operator.
The latest incident comes days after Air India terminated the services of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive for drug use. In the wake of the recent incidents, Air India is strengthening accountability across its flight operations, officials said.
Apart from mandatory testing of pilots for psychoactive substances, the airline is continuously monitoring compliance trends and operational conduct. It is also enhancing safety-focused awareness programmes and increasing leadership engagement with flight crew, officials said.
(Manas Dasgupta)