Air India pilot suspended after failing alcohol test at Zurich Airport

PTC Web Desk: Air India has suspended a pilot after he reportedly failed a breathalyser test at Zurich Airport before he was scheduled to operate a flight to Delhi earlier this month.

The incident took place on September 6, when the pilot was due to operate Air India flight AI151 from Zurich to Delhi. According to officials, airline staff noticed the smell of alcohol on the pilot’s breath and informed the local authorities.

The pilot was removed from flying duty after an initial breathalyser test indicated the presence of alcohol. He was then sent for a medical examination.

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Pilot sent back to India as passenger

Officials said the pilot was later allowed to return to India as a passenger. He will remain suspended while the final medical report is awaited and the matter is investigated. Further disciplinary action will depend on the outcome of the investigation and medical examination.

Air India has not issued an official statement on the incident so far.

Zurich-Delhi flight was delayed

A spokesperson for the Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) confirmed that the required procedures were followed under applicable national and international regulations.

The spokesperson said the airline and India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) were informed about the incident. As a result, flight AI151 could not depart Zurich at its scheduled time.

FOCA did not provide further details, citing data protection requirements, and said further action would be handled by the DGCA.

Air India tightens checks on flight crew

The incident comes shortly after another serious case involving an Air India pilot. On September 4, the airline terminated the services of the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight after he tested positive in a substance-use test.

That incident occurred on August 4, when an A320 aircraft experienced problems involving all three hydraulic systems and suddenly descended by around 300 feet. Twenty-four passengers were injured.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) had raised serious concerns over the pilot’s substance-use test result during its investigation.

Against this backdrop, Air India has been taking disciplinary action in cases involving alleged violations of flight safety and crew conduct rules. The airline has also said it is maintaining closer oversight of compliance requirements across its flight operations.