Air India pilot grounded after failing alcohol test in Canada, triggering regulatory probe

An Air India pilot was removed from duty at Vancouver International Airport on December 23 after failing two breathalyser tests conducted by Canadian police, prompting Canada’s transport regulator to seek a formal investigation into the incident.

Transport Canada described the case as a “serious matter” and has asked Air India to submit its findings and outline preventive measures by January 26. The regulator said it will also coordinate with India’s aviation authority to ensure appropriate follow-up action.

Air India confirmed that the Vancouver–Vienna-Delhi flight was delayed by 7 hours at the last minute after Canadian authorities raised concerns about the pilot’s fitness for duty. An alternate pilot was assigned to operate flight AI186 (Boeing 777-300ER registered VT-ALK), which can carry up to 344 passengers. The airline said the pilot involved has been removed from flying duties pending an internal inquiry, reiterating its zero-tolerance policy toward violations of aviation safety rules.

The incident comes at a sensitive time for Air India, which has been under heightened scrutiny following a fatal Boeing 787 crash in June and a series of safety-related warnings issued by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). In recent days, the DGCA also flagged “serious safety concerns” involving four Air India pilots over aircraft acceptance and operational decision-making.

Canadian regulations prohibit pilots from operating an aircraft within 12 hours of consuming alcohol, with violations potentially leading to enforcement actions, including fines. India’s aviation regulator is now considering tougher alcohol-testing rules, including permanent licence revocation after repeated positive tests, as it moves to tighten oversight of flight crew compliance.