UPDATE: Air India begins testing all pilots after reported marijuana result on Phuket–Delhi flight
The Thaiger reported that Air India began testing all pilots for psychoactive substances on 13 August after the captain of a Phuket–Delhi flight reportedly tested positive for marijuana following an altitude loss; Reuters said it could not immediately verify the result.
Air India began testing all of its pilots for psychoactive substances on 13 August 2026, The Thaiger reported, after the captain of a Phuket–Delhi flight reportedly tested positive for marijuana in a confirmatory test following a sudden loss of altitude. Reuters, which reported the result, said it could not immediately verify it.
India’s civil aviation minister summoned Air India CEO Campbell Wilson on 11 August 2026 after multiple Indian media outlets reportedly said that the captain had tested positive. Reuters reported the summons and said it could not immediately verify the reports.
The reported confirmatory result followed an earlier initial screen. India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation said the captain’s initial screening for psychoactive substances had produced a result requiring confirmation by a designated laboratory. At that stage, the final laboratory report was awaited and the ministry had not disclosed which substance was indicated.
The Air India Airbus A320neo, registration VT-EXO, was operating flight AI2379 from Phuket to Delhi on 4 August 2026 when it experienced a momentary altitude variation during cruise over Odisha, losing approximately 300 feet. The aircraft was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members, stabilised and later landed safely in Delhi.
Reported injury totals differ. Air India said 13 passengers and four crew members were injured, an earlier total of 17. The Thaiger reported that the initial count was at least 17 and that several Indian outlets later revised the total upwards to 24, comprising 20 passengers and four crew members.
Both crew members underwent screening under standard procedures after the incident. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) removed both from the roster pending the investigation, and the occurrence was classified as a “serious incident”.
Air India said it was aware that post-flight screening had been conducted in accordance with applicable protocols but had not been informed of the results. “We are therefore not in a position to comment on any findings,” an airline spokesperson said.
The airline said it conducts regular drug testing of crew members in compliance with civil aviation regulations and would continue to co-operate with the authorities. The Thaiger reported that the expanded programme covers pilots at Air India and its budget arm, Air India Express, and goes beyond the regulatory minimum. It said Indian rules require carriers to randomly test at least 10% of flight crew each year.
The Thaiger reported that no finding of fault had been announced. The investigation remains open, and the cause of the altitude loss has not been established.
