Lauren Turner

Air India will immediately test all of its pilots for banned substances and prohibited medications, extending the requirement to pilots at Air India Express. The move follows a Phuket-to-Delhi flight that lost about 91 metres in altitude shortly after take-off, injuring 17 people; both pilots have been removed from duty while Indian authorities, Airbus and France's air safety agency investigate. The airline is also under scrutiny after a fatal Ahmedabad-to-London crash in June 2025, and says the expanded testing is intended to strengthen safety and reassure passengers and stakeholders.