Pilots Alcohol Test

A total of 189 people working at 59 Indian airports were found drunk on duty in the first half of 2023, marking a 32 percent year-on-year increase, as per the data from DGCA

According to DGCA rules, pilots and cabin crew members must undergo pre-flight breathalyzer tests

However, Bengaluru airport's operator BIAL gave a different set of data to Business Standard

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Friday ordered airlines to resume pre-flight alcohol tests for pilots and cabin crew members. The aviation regulator had on March 29 this year suspended breath analyser (BA) test for "all aviation personnel" like pilots, cabin crew members, ground handling staff and air traffic controllers due to the "extraordinary" circumstances posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and given the directions issued by the high courts in Delhi and Kerala. "In partial modification of the DGCA order... dated 29.03.2020, this is to convey that the employer/organization shall ensure flight crew member and the cabin crew member shall undergo pre-flight BA test," said the regulator in an order dated September 4. This means breath analyser tests will continue to remain suspended for aviation personnel other than pilots and cabin crew members. In domestic flight operations, 10 per cent of pilots and crew members should undergo preflight BA test per day, the DGCA

The DGCA rules state that pilots and cabin crews who fail the alcohol test the first time are barred from flying for three months

In 2015, as many as 43 pilots tested positive for alcohol

DGCA has proposed changes to the 'Procedure for medical examination of aircraft personnel for alcohol consumption'