New Delhi: In order to further tighten aviation safety, the central government is considering tightening the drug testing rules for pilots.
Currently, 10% of the total number of pilots are randomly tested for drugs, and in future, there is a possibility of subjecting all commercial pilots to random tests at any time throughout the year. The DGCA is already consulting with the relevant stakeholders in this regard.
The central government is considering conducting random psychiatric substance tests for all commercial pilots throughout the year, Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu said on Tuesday.
The DGCA said it is consulting various stakeholders to tighten the existing drug testing rules to further strengthen aviation safety standards.
As per the current rules, 10% of the total number of pilots are drug tested. However, the DGCA is now in discussions with various stakeholders. One of our views is that all pilots should be tested randomly at any time throughout the year. We need to see how all stakeholders react to this, he said.
The debate on the possibility of drug use by pilots has intensified after an Air India flight on the Phuket-Delhi route suddenly lost altitude.
It was reported that the captain of the plane was found to have consumed marijuana during the test conducted in that incident.
Currently, drug testing of pilots is being conducted on a random basis. However, the DGCA is in consultation with the minister to formulate stricter rules in the future.
There are several ways to conduct this drug test. He was responding to questions regarding the drug testing of pilots after an event in the national capital.
Meanwhile, Air India and Air India Express have started mandatory drug testing for all their pilots.