New Delhi, August 9: The head of the pilot union stated on Sunday that the pilot of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi, which encountered turbulence, could face the revocation of their flying license if a recent drug test returns positive. Additional penalties may also apply.
Captain C.S. Randhawa, President of the Federation of Indian Pilots, noted that the airline has not yet officially released the results of the doping test. He emphasized that until there is official confirmation, they will refrain from commenting on reports claiming the pilot tested positive.
Randhawa stated, “The airline has not officially released the doping test results, so we will wait for official confirmation. I will not comment on whether the test is positive.”
He further explained that if the test is indeed positive, the pilot’s license could be revoked, and fines or other actions could significantly impact the pilot’s future.
“If the test comes back positive, it could lead to the revocation of the pilot’s license. The pilot may also face fines and various challenges in the future. However, I reiterate that we must wait for the doping test report before making any comments,” he added.
These statements come amid reports that the captain of an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi allegedly tested positive for psychoactive substances. The flight experienced severe turbulence, resulting in injuries to several passengers and crew members.
Air India has stated that it conducts regular drug tests on crew members in accordance with civil aviation regulations. However, the airline clarified that it had not been informed of the results from the post-flight screening tests for the pilots.
The Airbus A320 operating as flight AI2379 encountered significant turbulence while flying over Odisha, resulting in a sudden altitude change of approximately 300 feet. The aircraft eventually stabilized and landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi.
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