Air India has announced a major new safety step after the captain of a Phuket-Delhi flight that suddenly lost altitude tested positive for cannabis in a confirmatory drug test.

The Tata Group-owned airline said on Thursday, August 13, 2026, that it will now conduct mandatory substance-abuse screening for all Group pilots. The testing starts from today.

The decision comes days after flight AI2379 experienced a sudden altitude drop during its journey from Phuket to Delhi, leaving several passengers and crew members injured.

What Has Air India Announced?

Air India said every pilot in the group will undergo screening for substances and medications that are not permitted under existing aviation rules.

The airline said the testing will be mandatory and will begin on August 13.

Screening will take place at different locations depending on the pilot's schedule and base.

Air India said tests will be conducted:

• During training at the Gurugram Academy
• After flights at Flight Briefing Centres or Air India offices
• At locations provided by the pilots' respective bases

The airline said it already follows the safety requirements set by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), but it now wants to go beyond those requirements.

Why Has Air India Taken This Step?

The announcement follows the investigation into the August 4 Phuket-Delhi flight incident.

The Airbus A320 operating flight AI2379 suddenly lost altitude during cruise. Air India had initially described the event as turbulence-related.

The incident resulted in injuries to passengers and crew members. Air India's latest statement says 24 people, including four crew members, were injured.

The situation became more serious after the pilot-in-command's post-flight drug screening was flagged and a later confirmatory test came back positive for cannabis.

What Did the Pilot Tell Investigators?

The captain reportedly told investigators that he had been facing sleep problems because of personal circumstances.

He also said he had been taking medication prescribed by his family doctor. It was not immediately clear whether the medication had been declared as required under aviation rules.

According to the account given to investigators, the pilot slept for around 30 to 35 minutes during the flight.

The first officer was flying the aircraft at the time, while the captain was acting as the pilot monitoring.

Importantly, these details are part of the ongoing investigation and do not by themselves establish that drug use caused the aircraft's altitude loss.

What Happened Inside the Aircraft?

Fresh information from the aircraft's post-flight records has also added another angle to the investigation.

According to a report based on the aircraft's fault log, several warning messages appeared within about a minute around the time of the altitude event.

These included warnings related to hydraulic systems, an autopilot disconnect and an elevator flight-control fault.

Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft was cruising at around 36,160 feet before dropping to approximately 35,800 feet, a fall of about 360 feet.

Investigators will have to determine whether these warnings were connected to the altitude event.

Air India Says Passenger Safety Comes First

In its message to employees, Air India said passenger trust is its most important asset.

The airline said it wants to maintain the highest standards of safety and professionalism and provide reassurance to passengers and other stakeholders.

Air India also stressed that it already complies with DGCA regulations and said the new testing programme is an additional step.

What Do DGCA Rules Say?

Pilots in India are already subject to regulatory requirements relating to substance abuse.

Air India said its existing procedures comply with DGCA rules, which it described as similar to practices followed in other major aviation jurisdictions, including Europe and the United States.

The new Air India programme is therefore being presented as an extra layer of screening rather than a replacement for existing regulatory checks.

Will This Affect Air India Passengers?

For passengers, the airline's decision is mainly about strengthening confidence in flight safety.

The testing programme will cover pilots across the Air India Group, with screening carried out at training centres, post-flight facilities and other designated locations.

The airline has not said that the new programme will affect normal flight schedules.

What Happens to the Phuket-Delhi Flight Investigation?

The investigation into AI2379 is still ongoing.

The positive cannabis test is one part of the broader inquiry. Investigators will also need to examine aircraft systems, flight data, crew actions, weather conditions and other evidence before determining what caused the sudden altitude change.

The aircraft's fault records show multiple warnings around the time of the incident, but they do not by themselves establish the cause.

Final Words

Air India's decision to screen all pilots for substance abuse is the latest major development following the Phuket-Delhi flight incident.

The airline has started mandatory testing from August 13, 2026, saying it wants to go beyond existing regulatory requirements and strengthen passenger confidence.

At the same time, the investigation into flight AI2379 is continuing. The captain's positive cannabis test is significant, but it is too early to say that it caused the aircraft's sudden altitude loss.

The final findings will need to consider both the crew-related information and the aircraft's technical data before the exact cause is established.

FAQs

Why is Air India testing all its pilots?

Air India announced the mandatory screening after the captain of the Phuket-Delhi flight that lost altitude tested positive for cannabis in a confirmatory drug test.

When will Air India's new pilot testing begin?

The airline said mandatory screening of all Group pilots will begin on August 13, 2026.

What happened to Air India flight AI2379?

The Phuket-Delhi flight suddenly lost several hundred feet of altitude on August 4. Several passengers and crew members were injured.

Did the Air India pilot test positive for drugs?

Yes. Reports based on the investigation said the pilot's preliminary test was non-negative and the confirmatory test came back positive for cannabis.

Did drugs cause the Air India flight to lose altitude?

It has not been established that the pilot's test result caused the altitude loss. The investigation is examining multiple factors, including aircraft-system warnings.

How will Air India conduct the drug screening?

Tests will be conducted during training at the Gurugram Academy, after flights at designated Air India facilities and at locations provided by the pilots' bases.

How many people were injured on the Phuket-Delhi flight?

Air India's latest account says 24 people, including four crew members, suffered injuries during the incident.

Is the investigation into the flight incident complete?

No. The investigation is still examining the aircraft's technical data, crew actions and other evidence.