‘Safety remains highest priority’: Air India after Delhi-bound flight's pilot tests ‘non-negative’ for drug use

Updated on: Sep 4, 2026, 12:18:35 IST

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Air India on Friday said it has begun voluntary testing of 100% of its pilots in response to the AAIB’s preliminary report into the Phuket-Delhi flight that lost 300 feet of altitude last month, claiming that safety remained its “highest priority”. The airline said on Friday that it continues to fully cooperate with the AAIB investigation and has provided access to all relevant operational, maintenance and technical records.

Air India releases statement on AAIB report on pilot's test after turbulence on Phuket-Delhi flight. (HT_PRINT)

The AAIB report said the pilot-in-command was found “non-negative” for a psychoactive substance in a confirmatory test and called the finding a “serious concern”. They recommended that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) take appropriate action.

Air India has now started voluntary testing of 100% of its pilots after the AAIB flagged the “serious concern” of psychoactive substance use by the pilot-in-command.

“We acknowledge the release of the preliminary report by the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) and continue to extend our full cooperation to the investigation, including providing access to all relevant operational, maintenance and technical records. Safety remains Air India's highest priority,” an Air India spokesperson said.

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