Air India has announced immediate substance testing for all its pilots, going beyond the minimum requirements prescribed under aviation regulations, following a recent incident involving a Phuket-Delhi flight that briefly lost altitude after take-off. The airline said the move was aimed at strengthening safety standards and reassuring passengers amid heightened scrutiny of its operations.
The testing programme will cover pilots of both Air India and its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express. While existing regulations require airlines to randomly test at least 10 per cent of their pilots for prohibited substances, Air India has decided to test its entire pilot workforce. The expanded checks will cover not only banned substances but also medications that are prohibited under aviation rules.
The decision follows an incident on August 4 involving an Airbus operating a flight from Phuket to Delhi. Shortly after departure, the aircraft reportedly experienced a sudden loss of altitude of around 91 metres, or approximately 300 feet, leaving 17 passengers and crew members injured. A preliminary report into the incident has indicated that the senior pilot was required to undergo a repeat substance test. Reports have subsequently claimed that the pilot had initially tested positive for marijuana.
Both pilots operating the flight have been taken off flying duties while the investigation into the incident continues. Indian authorities are examining the circumstances surrounding the aircraft’s sudden descent, with Airbus and France’s air accident investigation agency also involved in the inquiry. The investigation is expected to establish whether the altitude loss was caused by operational, technical or other factors and whether any regulatory violations occurred.
Air India said the comprehensive testing initiative was being undertaken alongside training programmes at its aviation academy and at other locations, including pilot briefing centres and offices. The airline said the decision reflected its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism and would help provide greater confidence to passengers, employees and other stakeholders.
The latest move comes at a particularly sensitive time for Air India, which has faced intense scrutiny following a major aviation disaster last year. In June 2025, an Air India flight operating from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after take-off, killing 241 people aboard the aircraft and 19 people on the ground. Only one passenger survived the crash, making it one of the country’s deadliest aviation accidents in recent years.
The latest Phuket-Delhi incident has therefore added to concerns surrounding flight safety and crew preparedness at the airline. Air India’s decision to expand substance testing is being viewed as an additional precaution designed to ensure that pilots are fit to operate aircraft and are not affected by prohibited drugs or medications.
The airline has also undergone a leadership change, with former Ethiopian Airlines chief executive Tewolde Gebremariam taking over as Air India’s new chief executive last week. His appointment comes as the airline continues efforts to strengthen its operations and rebuild passenger confidence following a series of challenges.
By introducing testing for all pilots rather than limiting checks to the regulatory minimum, Air India has signalled that it intends to adopt a more stringent approach to flight safety. The airline’s enhanced testing programme will continue as authorities investigate the August 4 incident and determine the precise circumstances that led to the aircraft’s sudden loss of altitude.
