New delhi: Air India has mandated drug testing for all its pilots after a concerning incident involving a pilot testing positive for marijuana. According to Thai News Agency, the decision came after an alarming event on an Air India flight from Phuket to New Delhi, where the aircraft abruptly lost altitude by approximately 300 feet. The sudden drop caused panic among passengers and resulted in 17 injuries, including four crew members.
A drug test conducted immediately upon landing revealed that the captain had marijuana in his system. The official confirmation was made on Wednesday, August 12th. In response to this incident, Air India has elevated its safety protocols to the highest level. The airline announced that it will implement comprehensive drug testing procedures for all pilots of both Air India and Air India Express flights. This will include training at its Gurugram training institute and post-flight testing at the flight reporting center and headquarters. These measures are aimed at preventing any recurrence of such incidents in the future.