The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is considering requiring all pilots to undergo at least one random drug test every year, Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu told reporters on Tuesday, following the Air India Phuket-Delhi flight incident.
“But just like I said, DGCA is engaging, and one of the opinions from our side is that everyone has to go through it in the year at a random time,” Naidu said.
He said the regulator was consulting stakeholders on existing rules governing substance use and possible changes to ensure a stricter policy in the future.
“Right now, the rule says 10% across the overall pilot network,” Naidu said, referring to the existing requirement for drug testing.
