Air India Mandates Drug Screening for Pilots After Positive Test

Air India has initiated a mandatory drug testing program targeting all of its active flight crew after a pilot tested positive for marijuana, according to reports from Express Tribune World.

The expanded screening initiative is designed to enforce strict compliance with official regulatory frameworks. Under the updated operational policy, evaluations will actively screen flight crew members for illicit narcotics as well as prescription medications that are explicitly barred under governing aviation rules.

The decision follows an incident in which an aircraft commander failed a health evaluation by testing positive for cannabis. In response, airline management opted to broaden the scope of testing to encompass the entire pilot workforce rather than relying solely on localized or selective checks.

Civil aviation authorities and commercial air carriers maintain rigorous regulations regarding substance use, given the direct impact on flight safety and operational integrity. The full-scale screening protocol ensures that all flight deck personnel adhere strictly to safety mandates.