Air India Pilot Found Drunk Shortly Before Zurich-Delhi Flight, Suspended

Air India has suspended a pilot following an incident earlier this month in which the crew member was found to be unfit to operate a flight from Zurich to Delhi. The flight, scheduled for September 6, was delayed while the airline arranged for an alternate crew to take over operations.

According to the airline, the pilot was removed from duty immediately after local authorities in Switzerland provided a preliminary breath analyzer test report. The individual was subsequently referred for further medical evaluation and was repatriated to India as a passenger. The pilot remains under suspension pending the completion of an investigation and the receipt of a final medical examination report.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) was notified of the incident by its Swiss counterpart. In response to this and other recent occurrences, the Indian aviation regulator has directed the airline to strengthen its internal checks and balances regarding crew fitness.

This incident follows a series of similar reports involving Air India pilots. Earlier this year, a pilot was detained at Vancouver airport after being suspected of alcohol consumption prior to operating a flight to India. Additionally, the airline recently terminated another pilot who failed a drug test following a flight to Delhi.

Air India officials have stated that appropriate disciplinary action will be taken against the pilot involved in the Zurich incident once the findings of the ongoing investigation are finalized. The airline continues to face scrutiny from regulators regarding its safety practices and crew compliance protocols.