Air India Pilot Detained in Canada After Failing Alcohol Test

An Air India pilot was detained at Vancouver airport in Canada last week putting the passengers to inconvenience. The authorities suspected his fitness minutes before he was supposed to operate a Delhi-bound flight and it led to last-minute delay in departure.

On December 23, the Canadian authorities were alerted about the pilot scheduled to operate AI186 from Vancouver to Delhi, consuming alcohol. The alert came from a staffer at the airport’s duty-free store. He could have either seen the pilot consuming alcohol offered at the store or noticing the smell of alcohol, when he came to the store to buy a bottle, ahead of Christmas.

The pilot was subjected to breath analyser test and after he failed in it, he was detained and taken off  the flight. Air India said the delay was due to offloading one of the cockpit crew members, minutes before the departure. Air India rostered an alternate pilot to operate the flight, which led to a delay of over two hours. The airline added that it regrets the inconvenience to the passengers and is cooperating fully with the local authorities.

The statement said: “The pilot has been taken off flying duties during the process of the enquiry. Air India maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any violation of applicable rules and regulations. Pending the outcome of the investigation, any confirmed violation will attract strict disciplinary action in line with company policy. Safety remains Air India’s highest priority at all times.”

The Vancouver-Delhi is a long-haul flight requiring four pilots to operate in two sets. From Vancouver, it lands in Vienna and then another set of crew operates the flight to Delhi.

Sources said that the pilot was flown to Delhi after two days and investigation had started. The issue was reported to DGCA.