No pilot tests positive for drugs, cabin crew alcohol shows revival in 2022

In just the first four months of this year, 41 pilots and cabin crew showed traces of alcohol, of which nine were pilots. In all of 2021, some 59 tested positive, 19 wer pilots

Even as the Indian Pilots Guild and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) battle it out in court over the regulator’s rules for random testing of psychoactive substances, the entire process is slowly taking off.

The rules, which kicked in on the midnight of January 31, require airlines to conduct random drug testing on pilots and other aviation safety personnel and submit results to DGCA.

Figures shared by DGCA under the Right to Information (RTI) Act with Business Standard show that between January 31 till the middle of May, some 92 pilots were tested for six psychoactive substances. These include marijuana,