Safety First: Pilot Pulled Off Zurich-Delhi Flight After Alcohol Check
What Happened
An Air India first officer was suspended after failing a pre-flight alcohol test at Zurich Airport before operating flight AI 151 from Zurich to Delhi on September 6. Airport staff reportedly detected the smell of alcohol and alerted authorities, who removed the co-pilot from the aircraft before take-off. He failed the preliminary test, while results of a secondary medical examination are still awaited.
Key Takeaways
The incident has renewed scrutiny of flight safety practices at Air India. Swiss aviation authorities informed India's DGCA, which has asked the airline to strengthen safeguards. Air India reiterated its zero-tolerance policy on alcohol, drugs, and other safety violations, with the case coming weeks after another Air India pilot tested positive for a psychoactive substance.