Air India Express Suspends Eight Crew After Delayed Breathalyser Tests, August 2

The Dubai‑to‑Amritsar flight AI‑2379 touched down at 11:20 a.m. at Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport, but the crew missed the 2‑hour breathalyser deadline by 35 minutes.

Air India Express immediately suspended the eight crew members, including four pilots, and reported the violation to the DGCA. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation enforces a 120‑minute post‑flight declaration rule, and breaches trigger disciplinary action.

The move follows a similar incident last month when an Air India pilot tested positive for marijuana after a Phuket‑to‑Delhi flight. Air India Express Chief of Flight Safety Ravi Joshi said the airline would now conduct a full screening of all group pilots.

Passengers on the flight reported a calm cabin, but one passenger, Pooja Sharma, told reporters she was uneasy after learning of the suspension. 'I felt anxious, but the crew handled the situation professionally,' she said.

The airline will carry out the screenings at the Gurugram Academy and at its flight briefing centres and will only reinstate pilots after a clear medical clearance.