Air India on Thursday announced that it will conduct mandatory substance-abuse screening of all pilots before departures, following a drug test on the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight that suddenly lost altitude. The airline said the expanded testing programme would begin on August 13, 2026, and would cover pilots across the Tata Group's aviation operations. The decision comes after the captain of flight AI2379 reportedly tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory drug test following the incident.
The Phuket-Delhi flight experienced a sudden 300-foot drop during cruise on August 4, leaving 24 people, including four crew members, injured. Air India had initially attributed the incident to turbulence. The pilot-in-command subsequently underwent drug testing, with a confirmatory test returning positive for marijuana, according to reports. The development has prompted renewed scrutiny of pilot fitness, substance-use controls and safety procedures within the airline.
In an email to employees, Air India said it was going beyond the regulatory requirements prescribed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The airline said the additional measures were intended to uphold the highest standards of safety and professionalism and reassure passengers, stakeholders and the wider community. The expanded screening will examine pilots for substances and medications that are not permitted under prevailing aviation regulations.
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The airline said the testing would be mandatory for all Group pilots. The move represents a significant expansion of screening beyond checks associated with individual incidents and is intended to provide an additional layer of oversight over pilot fitness. Air India has not indicated that all pilots will necessarily undergo the same testing frequency or methodology, but the announcement makes clear that compliance with substance-related aviation rules will be subject to systematic screening.
The Phuket-Delhi incident has brought particular attention to the importance of pilot fitness during commercial operations. Flight crews are required to comply with strict regulations governing alcohol, drugs and other substances that could affect their ability to safely perform their duties. Air India's decision to introduce broader screening follows the reported positive test and reflects the airline's stated intention to strengthen its internal safety framework.
The August 4 flight incident itself remains significant because of the number of people injured after the aircraft experienced the sudden altitude change. While Air India's initial account cited turbulence, the subsequent positive drug test involving the pilot has introduced an additional issue for investigators and regulators to examine. A positive test does not, by itself, establish that substance use caused the aircraft's altitude change, and the circumstances surrounding the incident remain subject to investigation.
Air India said the new screening policy would take effect immediately, beginning Thursday. The airline's expanded programme is aimed at ensuring that pilots meet both regulatory and internal safety standards before operating flights. The move is also expected to reassure passengers following the Phuket-Delhi incident, as the airline seeks to reinforce its safety and professional standards across its pilot workforce.
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