In a significant move to bolster flight safety, Air India has announced that it will begin mandatory substance testing for its entire pilot workforce starting this Thursday. This new directive goes beyond existing regulatory mandates, which only require airlines to randomly screen at least 10 percent of their flight crew annually. The expanded policy will encompass both Air India and its budget subsidiary, Air India Express, with screenings conducted at training facilities, briefing centers, and various home base locations.

This initiative follows a troubling incident on August 4, when an Airbus A320neo flying from Phuket to Delhi experienced an unexpected altitude loss of 300 feet. Reports indicate that the captain of that flight subsequently tested positive for marijuana. While the airline has not provided a formal comment, internal documentation suggests that the decision to implement universal testing is rooted in a commitment to passenger safety and a desire to maintain the highest operational standards across the board.