Air India suspends pilot after failed breath analyser test at Zurich airport

Air India has suspended a pilot who failed a breath analyser test at Zurich airport earlier this month before he was scheduled to operate a flight to Delhi officials said on FridayThe airline is also taking steps to strengthen regulatory compliance and curb violations they addedThe incident took place on September 6 days after Air India terminated the services of the pilotincommand of a PhuketDelhi flight who had tested positive for drug use news agency PTI reportedAccording to officials the pilot was scheduled to operate Air India flight AI151 from Zurich to Delhi on September 6 At the airport he reportedly smelt of alcohol Air India officials subsequently voluntarily informed the local authorities following which requisite action was taken they saidThere was no official statement from Air IndiaPilot removed from duty after preliminary testIn the Zurich incident the pilot was immediately removed from operating duties after local authorities provided a preliminary breath analyser test report officials said He was then referred for further medical evaluationThe pilot was subsequently repatriated to India as a passenger and remains under suspension pending the final medical examination report and completion of the investigationAppropriate disciplinary action will be taken based on the findings officials saidA Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation FOCA Spokesperson told PTI on Friday that necessary measures were taken in accordance with applicable national and international regulationsldquoThe operator and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India DGCA have been informed accordingly As a result flight AI151 from Zurich to Delhi could not be operated as scheduledrdquo the spokesperson saidCiting data protection requirements the FOCA Spokesperson said the office could not provide further details about the caseldquoThe responsibility for the further handling of this case lies with the DGCA as the competent authority of the State of the Operator to which any further enquiries should be addressedrdquo the spokesperson said in an email responseAir India strengthens accountability after recent incidentsIn the wake of recent incidents including a pilot testing positive for drug use Air India is strengthening accountability across flight operations officials saidApart from mandatory testing of pilots for psychoactive substances the airline is continuously monitoring compliance trends and operational conduct It is also enhancing awareness programmes focused on safetycritical responsibilities and increasing leadership engagement with flight crew they addedAccording to officials where violations have been established the airline has taken disciplinary action including suspension and termination of employment depending on the nature and severity of the noncomplianceAir India terminated PhuketDelhi pilot earlier this monthOn September 4 Air India terminated the services of the pilotincommand of a PhuketDelhi flight after he tested positive for drug useThe move came hours after the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau AAIB in its preliminary report into the Phuket flight incident of August 4 described the pilotrsquos drug use as a serious concern and asked aviation regulator DGCA to take appropriate actionThe PhuketDelhi flight operated by an A320 aircraft suddenly lost nearly 300 feet in altitude leaving several people on board injuredIn its preliminary report the AAIB said the aircraft which was carrying 145 people suffered a nearsimultaneous loss of all three hydraulic systems while cruising at 36000 feet This triggered an autopilot disconnect a brief stall warning and an altitude upset that injured 24 peopleWith PTI inputs