Aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Monday asked airlines to have an MBBS doctor, a trained paramedic or an emergency medical technician to conduct pre-flight breathalyser checks on pilots, making the process more stringent to crack down on flying under the influence.
Another test will be conducted upon arrival at the destination, DGCA said. If tested positive for the first time, a pilot will be given the option of getting retested using the same equipment or an alternative one. In 2019, the aviation regulator asked Air India to terminate the services of one of its pilots who failed the test. The pilot, flying as an additional crew member, had failed the test once earlier as well.
