Air India AI 151 Co-Pilot Suspended After Failing Alcohol Test Before Zurich-Delhi Flight
An Air India co-pilot has been suspended after failing an alcohol test before a scheduled flight from Zurich to Delhi on September 6. The first officer was removed from the aircraft shortly before takeoff after authorities suspected that he had consumed alcohol.
An Air India co-pilot has been suspended after failing an alcohol test before a scheduled flight from Zurich to Delhi on September 6. The first officer was removed from the aircraft shortly before takeoff after authorities suspected that he had consumed alcohol.
The pilot failed a preliminary alcohol test at Zurich Airport. The results of a secondary test conducted in Zurich are awaited, Air India officials said. The co-pilot was subsequently repatriated to India as a passenger and remains under suspension pending the final medical examination report, reports said.
The incident affected Air India flight AI 151, which could not operate as scheduled from Zurich to Delhi. The flight was operated the following day.
Air India said it follows a zero-tolerance policy for violations of safety, regulatory or company protocols and takes action in accordance with regulatory requirements and company policy. Why Did Air India Express Cancel Delhi-Patna Flights From September 24-30? Check Reason.
The airline also reiterated the importance of discipline, compliance and accountability among flight crew. It said regular awareness and compliance training is conducted and testing for psychoactive substances is mandatory.
Air India Pilot Tested Positive For Marijuana
The latest incident comes weeks after an Air India pilot tested positive for marijuana following the August 4 Phuket-Delhi flight incident.
The pilot in command of Air India flight AI-2379, which was flying from Phuket to Delhi, reportedly tested positive for marijuana twice. The Airbus A320neo carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members experienced a sudden loss of altitude of around 300 feet over Odisha. Air India Seeks USD 1.5 Billion in Fresh Equity From Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines: Report.
More than 20 passengers and four crew members were injured in the incident. The aircraft subsequently landed safely in Delhi.
The pilot, Sudeep Vashistha, was later dismissed. In a flight safety statement, he said he had been experiencing sleep difficulties and had been prescribed medication by his family doctor.
Air India Orders Dope Test For Pilots
Following the Phuket-Delhi flight incident, Air India ordered fresh mandatory dope tests for all its pilots. The airline also announced additional measures aimed at strengthening compliance among employees.
These measures include mandatory testing for psychoactive substances, enhanced awareness programmes, reinforcement of reporting obligations and regulatory expectations, continued monitoring of compliance trends and scrutiny of operational conduct.
The latest suspension comes as Air India continues to reinforce its safety and compliance protocols among flight crew.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 25, 2026 03:14 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
