An Air India pilot was taken into custody at Vancouver International Airport, Canada, on December 23, just ahead of Christmas, after authorities expressed concerns about his fitness for duty due to the scent of alcohol. This pilot was meant to operate a flight to Delhi, but the situation led to a postponement of the postponement.
Reports indicate that a staff member from the airport's duty-free shop noticed the pilot either consuming alcohol or having a strong odor of it while purchasing some duty-free items. This prompted immediate notification of Canadian airport authorities.
Upon arrival, the pilot underwent a breathalyzer test, which he did not pass. Consequently, Canadian authorities detained him for further investigation. This last-minute incident required Air India to offload the pilot and assign a new crew member for the flight to Delhi, resulting in a delay.
In its official statement, Air India noted, “Flight AI186 from Vancouver to Delhi on December 23 faced an unexpected delay after the offloading of a cockpit crew member before departure. Concerns regarding the pilot’s fitness for duty were raised by Canadian authorities, leading to further inquiries. In line with safety protocols, a substitute pilot was appointed, leading to the delay.”
The airline conveyed regrets for the inconvenience to passengers while confirming full cooperation with local authorities. “The pilot has been relieved of flying responsibilities during the inquiry. Air India follows a zero-tolerance approach towards violations of regulations. Any confirmed infractions will lead to stringent disciplinary measures as per company policy. Maintaining safety is our utmost priority,” added the statement.
In a related note, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued a show-cause notice to a different Air India cockpit crew for operating multiple flights between Delhi and Tokyo while being aware of significant compliance issues. The aviation authority has requested explanations from the pilots within a fortnight.
These incidents have sparked discussions regarding compliance and safety measures within the aviation sector. Authorities and airlines continue to stress the importance of adhering to safety protocols to ensure passenger safety and operational reliability.
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