NEW DELHI: Air India has suspended a pilot who was reportedly found tipsy when he was to operate a Zurich-Delhi flight earlier this month. The Zurich-Delhi flight of Sept 6 had to be rescheduled after the pilot was found unfit to operate the same and till alternate crew was arranged. With the airline having faced similar issues in the past few months, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked it to improve its checks and balances. The India regulator was apprised of the Zurich case by its Swiss counterpart.“In the recent Zurich case involving a cockpit crew member, the individual was immediately removed from operating duties upon receipt of a preliminary breath analyser test report from local authorities and referred for further medical evaluation. The employee was subsequently repatriated to India as a passenger and remains under suspension pending the final medical examination report and completion of the investigation. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken based on the findings,” said an AI official.The airline, which recently terminated a pilot who had failed dope test after operating a badly rattled aircraft to Delhi, has seen multiple cases of tipsy pilots in the recent past. This Jan a pilot was detained at Vancouver airport after reeking of alcohol just before operating a flight to India.AI, whose safety practices are under the lens since last June Ahmedabad crash, says it “maintains an uncompromising commitment to safety, regulatory compliance and professional conduct across all aspects of its operations.”“The airline follows a zero-tolerance policy towards any violation of safety, security or regulatory requirements. Any confirmed breach of established protocols is dealt with firmly, with disciplinary action taken in accordance with applicable regulations and company policies. This approach is consistent with Air India’s longstanding policy that safety-related violations, particularly those involving alcohol, prohibited substances or conduct that could compromise operational safety, are treated with the utmost seriousness,” the official added.Following the recent instances of crew failing dope and breath analyser (for alcohol) tests, AI says it has “has reinforced its expectations of professional conduct and regulatory compliance through multiple interventions across the organisation. A communication from the head of flight operations was issued to all pilots reiterating the airline’s zero-tolerance policy towards the use of prohibited substances and reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
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““The communication underscored the responsibilities associated with operating an aircraft and reaffirmed that there can be no compromise on safety, integrity or regulatory compliance…. Air India conducts regular awareness and compliance programmes for pilots and other employees (focussing on) regulatory obligations and licensing requirements; professional conduct standards; substance abuse regulations.….”
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