Consider oral-fluid drug test, raise random testing to 25%: Pilots' body to DGCA

Amid heightened scrutiny of drug use among flight crew, the Federation of Indian Pilots has written to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, urging it to introduce oral-fluid testing for psychoactive substances as an additional screening method.The pilots’ body has also recommended increasing the minimum annual random drug-testing coverage for pilots from 10 per cent to at least 25 per cent.The letter comes after two Air India group pilots returned non-negative results in initial mandatory screenings for psychoactive substances. Their samples have been sent for confirmatory testing, with the final results awaited, sources told India Today.FIP SEEKS ORAL-FLUID TESTS“Consider introducing oral-fluid testing as a complementary testing methodology within the existing regulatory framework governing the examination of aviation personnel for consumption of psychoactive substances,” the FIP said in its letter to the DGCA. The federation said the existing urine-testing system had an established regulatory and laboratory framework. However, it argued that the rapid expansion of Indian aviation warranted additional methods to increase testing capacity, reduce operational disruptions and facilitate faster screening at airports and other locations.The FIP clarified that oral-fluid screening should complement rather than replace urine testing. It said the method could reduce collection time and crew downtime, allowing the DGCA to expand testing without causing significant delays.'RANDOM TESTING MUST RISE TO 25%' The pilots’ body also sought a review of the requirement to test at least 10 per cent of aviation personnel randomly every year.It argued that the threshold, fixed several years ago, should be reassessed because of the growth in India’s fleet, pilot population and operational intensity.“For pilots entrusted with the lives of passengers and crew, random psychoactive-substance testing must be sufficiently frequent, genuinely random and unpredictable to provide meaningful deterrence and continuous safety assurance,” the FIP said.It added that the purpose should not merely be to meet an annual target but to create a system in which the possibility of being selected for testing remained credible throughout the year.The federation recommended raising annual random-testing coverage to at least 25 per cent of pilots. It also proposed allowing repeat selection of individuals and additional risk-based screening where objectively warranted.FIP CITES AUSTRALIA, US, UAETo bolster its argument, the FIP cited in its letter the drug-testing frameworks followed by aviation and transport regulators in Australia, the United States and the UAE.Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority permits urine and oral-fluid testing under its Drug and Alcohol Management Plan. The framework covers pilots, cabin crew, ground handlers, maintenance personnel, dispatchers, security staff and refuellers performing safety-sensitive duties.The US Department of Transportation also permits urine and oral-fluid samples, subject to prescribed procedures for collection, laboratory analysis, chain of custody and confirmation.According to the FIP, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority allows on-site oral-fluid screening followed by laboratory confirmation and medical assessment.AIR INDIA EXPANDS SCREENINGThe Air India group introduced mandatory psychoactive-substance screening for all pilots from August 13 following the incident involving flight AI2379.Sources said around 300 to 400 pilots had been screened so far and the testing process was continuing. Two pilots returned non-negative initial results, which are now undergoing confirmatory analysis.The expanded screening followed the August 4 incident involving AI2379, an Airbus A320 flying from Phuket to Delhi. The aircraft suddenly lost around 300 feet of altitude during flight before stabilising and landing safely in Delhi. At least 24 passengers and crew members were injured in the incident.Both pilots operating the flight underwent mandatory psychoactive-substance screening. The pilot-in-command’s initial result required further analysis, and he subsequently tested positive for marijuana in the confirmatory test, sources told India Today.- EndsPublished By: Aprameya RaoPublished On: Aug 18, 2026 17:08 IST