Indian aviation has a drinking problem and DGCA plans to fix it. Here’s how

In a bid to prevent drunken crews on aircraft — of which there has been a spurt — sector regulator the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is planning to roll out measures to counter the menace.

According to data accessed by Business Standard, in the first six months in 2019, 123 pilots and cabin crews have failed the breathe-analyser test.

Of this, 30 were cockpit crew (pilots) while 93 were cabin crew. In 2018, the numbers of crew members who failed the test were 256.

This is in stark contrast to developed markets. According to data provided by the US aviation regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), only 24 pilots were caught violating alcohol rules in 2018.