In brief
Air India announced it will now test every pilot for banned substances, a move that follows a Phuket‑Delhi flight that lost altitude when a senior pilot returned a positive marijuana test. The airline already required random tests of at least 10% of pilots, but will now mandate full coverage across its fleet and budget arm, Air India Express. The initiative aims to boost safety, reassure passengers and stakeholders, and support wider sustainable aviation goals by reducing the risk of costly, carbon‑heavy accidents. The tests will run alongside training sessions at the airline’s academy and briefing centres, and both pilot crews involved in the incident remain suspended during investigations. Air India's new CEO, former Ethiopian Airlines boss Tewolde Gebremariam, underlines a commitment to high safety standards and environmental responsibility.
Air India’s Bold Move for a Safer, Greener Sky
Air India said tomorrow that it will test every pilot in its fleet for banned substances, extending beyond the existing 10% random‑sample requirement. The decision comes after a Phuket‑to‑Delhi flight lost about 91 metres in altitude, prompting the senior pilot to re‑take a substance test that turned out positive for marijuana.
Both pilots were placed on standby while investigators from India, Airbus and the French air‑safety agency examine the incident. The airline’s memo says the move “goes beyond regulatory requirements” and is meant to "reassure passengers, stakeholders and the community at large".
Air India Express, the carrier’s low‑cost arm, will also join the pilot testing program from Thursday. Tests will include substances and medications banned in aviation, and they will be carried out in aviation academies and briefing centres.
While safety is a universal priority, it is also a key pillar for sustainable aviation. Every emergency landing or forced descent not only risks lives but also burns excess fuel, inflates carbon emissions and wastes valuable time. By tightening its safety protocols, Air India is aiming to minimise these avoidable outcomes, thereby reducing its environmental footprint and meeting climate‑friendly travel demands.
The initiative arrives alongside Air India’s newest CEO, former Ethiopian Airlines chief Tewolde Gebremariam, who inherited a company that faced a deadly Ahmedabad‑London crash in June 2025. His mandate is to steer the airline towards greater operational safety and environmental stewardship.
Industry observers say that comprehensive pilot testing will signal a commitment to both safety and sustainability, potentially improving the airline’s standing with passengers looking for greener travel options.
Air India’s decision fits within a broader aviation push to enforce stricter safety standards while also pursuing low‑emission schedules, fuel‑efficient fleets, and cleaner operational practices. As airlines worldwide look to reduce carbon footprints, ensuring a fellow of pilots can manage flights safely is a critical step in closing the climate‑safety loop.
