New Delhi, August 18, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Air India has voluntarily initiated a testing programme covering all its pilots, going beyond existing regulatory requirements as part of its efforts to reinforce safety and professional standards, the airline said on Tuesday.
The airline said the testing process is currently underway and urged media organisations and other stakeholders not to draw conclusions from unverified or unsubstantiated information.
“Air India has voluntarily undertaken a testing programme covering all pilots, beyond regulatory requirements in line with our unwavering commitment to safety and professionalism,” the airline said in a statement.
“As the process is ongoing, we urge media and other stakeholders to refrain from speculation or reporting based on unverified or unsubstantiated information,” it added.
The airline said any assessment of the exercise should be made only after the process is completed and verified facts are available.
The statement comes amid reports of an expanded drug-screening exercise by the Tata Group-owned carrier following a recent in-flight incident involving a Phuket-Delhi service.
Earlier this week, reports said two more Air India pilots had failed preliminary drug tests conducted as part of the expanded screening programme. Their final test results are awaited, and both pilots have reportedly been de-rostered pending confirmation.
The airline had introduced a new standard operating procedure for drug testing of all pilots after the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight allegedly failed two urine tests following the aircraft’s landing. Marijuana was also reportedly detected in his system.
More than 300 Air India pilots have reportedly undergone testing so far. Final drug-test results typically take between 24 and 48 hours to process.
Air India’s latest statement stressed that the ongoing testing programme should be assessed only on the basis of confirmed findings, reiterating the airline’s stated focus on safety and professionalism.
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