Air India pilot fails breathalyser test before Zurich-Delhi flight, suspended

New Delhi (TIP): An Air India pilot who allegedly smelled of alcohol minutes before he was due to operate a Zurich-New Delhi flight failed a preliminary breathalyser test and was removed from flying duty, sources said on Friday, Sept 25. The incident marks the second substance-related case involving the airline’s cockpit crew in recent weeks.
The pilot was scheduled to operate flight AI151 from Zurich to Delhi on September 6 when Air India personnel at the airport detected the smell of alcohol and voluntarily alerted the local authorities, officials said. “In the recent Zurich case involving a cockpit crew member, the individual was immediately removed from operating duties upon receipt of a preliminary breathalyser test report from the local authorities and referred for further medical evaluation. The employee was subsequently repatriated to India as a passenger and remains under suspension pending the final medical examination report and completion of the investigation,” said a senior Air India official. The Air India official said disciplinary action would follow, depending on the findings. The incident comes close on the heels of another cockpit crew case that raised safety concerns at the airline.