Two Air India pilots have returned non-negative results for psychoactive substances during an expanded drug screening programme launched after an August 4 in-flight incident, according to reports. Both pilots were removed from the flying roster pending mandatory confirmatory testing, as required under aviation regulations.
The screening expansion — reported to cover around 350 pilots, with more than 300 screened so far — followed the incident on Air India flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi, when the Airbus A320 lost about 300 feet of altitude during cruise before stabilising and landing safely in Delhi. Several passengers and crew sustained injuries in that event.
Initial screenings found one pilot-in-command’s test required further analysis while the co-pilot’s test showed no immediate concerns. A non-negative result indicates the preliminary test detected a substance or marker that needs confirmatory laboratory analysis; it is not a definitive finding of drug use. Preliminary false positives can occur due to medicines, certain foods or technical errors, the reports noted.
According to further reports, the pilot-in-command later tested positive for marijuana on the confirmatory test. The airline has said final drug test results typically take about 24 to 48 hours to be reported, and formal procedures and investigations will follow the confirmatory findings.
Air India’s wider screening drive aims to ensure crew fitness for duty and restore public confidence after the August 4 incident. The airline and aviation authorities are conducting the ongoing investigations and assessments, and any personnel actions will proceed according to regulatory norms and the outcomes of the confirmatory tests.
Original Source: https://www.guwahatiplus.com/india/two-more-air-india-pilots-get-non-negative-drug-test-results-final-tests-pending
Category: India
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Publish Date: 2026-08-17 13:57:00
