Air India is immediately beginning to test all of its pilots for banned substances after a recent incident where one pilot tested positive for marijuana on a Phuket to Delhi flight that suddenly lost altitude. The airline had previously been under scrutiny after two major incidents, including a 2025 plane crash in London that killed 260 people. According to existing regulations, at least 10% of pilots should be tested randomly, but Air India's new testing initiative goes beyond these requirements and will also include training sessions for pilots. Seventeen passengers were injured on the Phuket flight, which is currently under investigation by Indian authorities alongside Airbus and France's air safety agency.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-14,
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Story summary
Air India is taking extra measures to ensure pilot safety after a recent incident. On August 4, an Airbus flight from Phuket to Delhi suddenly lost altitude, injuring 17 people on board, including passengers and crew. An investigation found that the senior pilot had to retake their substance test because they had tested positive for marijuana. In response, Air India has announced that it will now test all of its pilots for banned substances, going beyond the existing regulatory requirement of testing at least 10% of pilots randomly. The tests will start immediately and also include pilots from Air India's budget arm, Air India Express. Both pilots involved in the recent incident have been removed from duty until the investigation is complete. This move is seen as an effort by Air India to provide reassurance to its passengers and stakeholders while upholding high safety standards.
Written for “Airline Safety Measures” on 2026-08-31,
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Leaning score +0.25 for article 747 (medium confidence, 1 verified quote) · logged 2026-08-27
- Published
Air India is to test all of its pilots for banned substances, starting immediately.
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India → publish → substances
It comes after an incident last week in which its Phuket to Delhi flight suddenly lost altitude, with a preliminary report saying the senior pilot had to retake their substance test.
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pilot → come → test
Reports say they had tested positive for marijuana.
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they → say → marijuana
Existing rules require at least 10% of pilots to be tested at random.
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% → exist → pilots
Seventeen passengers and crew were injured when the Airbus lost about 91 metres (300 feet) in height shortly after departure on 4 August.
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Airbus → injure → August
It is being investigated by Indian authorities working alongside Airbus and France's air safety agency.
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It → investigate → Airbus
Both pilots of the flight have been removed from duties until the investigation is complete.
In a memo seen by the BBC, Air India said it was "important to go further" in its testing.
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it → remove → testing
"This initiative, which goes beyond regulatory requirements, reflects our determination to uphold the highest standards of safety and professionalism, and to provide reassurance to our passengers, stakeholders and the community at large," it said.
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it → go → passengers
The airline has already been under scrutiny after a June 2025 flight from Ahmedabad to London crashed shortly after take-off, killing 241 people on board and 19 on the ground.
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flight → crash → ground
Only one passenger survived.
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passenger → survive → ?
The tests - for substances as well as medications prohibited under aviation regulations - are being carried out alongside training sessions at Air India's academy, as well as other locations including briefing centres and offices.
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tests → prohibit → centres
Last week, former Ethiopian Airlines boss Tewolde Gebremariam became Air India's new chief executive.
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Gebremariam → become → ?
