# Air India crew alcohol and safety protocol violations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/air-india-crew-alcohol-and-safety-protocol-violations
> Updated: 2026-09-27T13:16:14.000Z. Sources: 15. Developments: 3.

Air India and its subsidiary, Air India Express, have faced multiple regulatory and safety incidents involving crew members and substance protocols.

In August, Air India Express suspended eight crew members—including four pilots and four cabin crew—for three months. The suspension followed a violation of mandatory post-flight alcohol testing protocols after a flight from Dubai to Amritsar, where the crew missed the required two-hour testing window by 35 minutes. Although all members tested negative for alcohol, the delay was deemed a regulatory lapse.

In September, an Air India co-pilot was suspended after failing a sobriety test at Zurich airport prior to flight AI 151 to Delhi. Ground staff suspected alcohol consumption, and subsequent tests indicated blood alcohol levels above the permissible limit, causing the flight to miss its scheduled departure. The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) referred the matter to India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). This incident followed a separate report in August regarding a pilot testing positive for marijuana after a flight from Phuket to Delhi.

Regarding the Zurich incident, airport staff at the check-in counter noted the smell of alcohol on the crew member on September 6. Following a positive breathalyzer test, Air India cancelled the flight and sent the co-pilot back to India as a passenger. The airline stated it is awaiting a formal report from Swiss authorities before deciding on further disciplinary actions.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-27: Air India suspends co-pilot after positive alcohol test in Zurich

Air India suspended a co-pilot after a positive alcohol test at Zurich Airport, leading to the cancellation of flight AI151 to Delhi.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/air-india-suspends-co-pilot-after-positive-alcohol-test-in-zurich

### 2026-09-25: Air India co-pilot suspended after failing alcohol test in Zurich

An Air India co-pilot was suspended after failing an alcohol test at Zurich Airport before a flight to Delhi, marking the second recent substance-related safety incident for the airline.

7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/air-india-co-pilot-suspended-after-failing-alcohol-test-in-zurich

### 2026-09-17: Air India Express suspends eight crew members over delayed alcohol testing

Air India Express suspended eight crew members for three months after they missed a mandatory two-hour post-flight breathalyzer testing window following a flight from Dubai to Amritsar.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/air-india-express-suspends-eight-crew-members-over-delayed-alcohol-testing

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Cite as: Air India crew alcohol and safety protocol violations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/air-india-crew-alcohol-and-safety-protocol-violations