Air India begins drug testing of all pilots after Phuket-Delhi flight incident

NEW DELHI: Air India group has from Thursday started 'mandatory substance screening' for all pilots following the Phuket-Delhi flight serious incident. The move comes to “protect and sustain” the trust AI had earned over the decades that has been shaken by the pilot-in-command of the Phuket flight testing positive for marijuana. Aviation secretary Samir Sinha had in clear terms asked AI to “take responsibility” and do whatever it takes to ensure safety.AI senior VP (flight operations) captain Manish Uppal wrote to all pilots on Thursday: “For decades, Air India has been the flag bearer of Indian aviation. Over this time the professionalism, skill and commitment to safety of our pilots, together with other staff, has earned the trust of millions of passengers and the wider community. This t