Air India orders drug tests for all pilots after A320 plunge
What's new: The carrier is going beyond the 10% random-testing rule as investigators review a Phuket-to-Delhi drop that injured passengers and crew.
Air India has ordered mandatory drug screening for all of its pilots, including crews at Air India Express, after an Airbus A320 suddenly lost about 91 meters, or 300 feet, shortly after taking off from Phuket for New Delhi on Aug. 4. The airline said the testing begins immediately and covers banned substances and medications prohibited under aviation rules. Existing regulations require random testing of at least 10% of flight crew each year. Both pilots on the Phuket-Delhi flight have been taken off duty while Indian authorities investigate with support from Airbus and France's BEA. The move adds to pressure on the airline as it tries to rebuild operations after the June 2025 Ahmedabad crash.