NEW DELHI, SEPT 25: Operations on Air India’s Zurich to Delhi route were disrupted earlier this month when a pilot-in-command was removed from duty at Zurich airport over a failed alcohol test. The flight crew member was subjected to testing after airport staff noticed signs of intoxication prior to the scheduled departure of flight AI151 on September 6.
The carrier voluntarily engaged local civil aviation authorities in Zurich, who initiated necessary evaluation procedures. The pilot was taken off duty, sent for medical screening, and later repatriated to India under suspension status pending further investigation by regulatory bodies.
The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation confirmed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in India was officially informed of the matter, leaving further administrative actions to Indian authorities. The development comes amidst broader efforts by the airline to enforce strict adherence to safety codes, including psychoactive substance monitoring and increased flight crew accountability, following the recent termination of another commander linked to an altitude loss incident during a Phuket-Delhi flight in August.
