Air India first officer grounded after failing pre-flight alcohol test in Zurich

An Air India first officer was removed from duty in Zurich on September 6 after failing a pre-flight alcohol test, the second such case involving the airline's crew in recent weeks.

The co-pilot was taken off the aircraft shortly after officials detected the smell of alcohol on him. He failed a preliminary breath test, and the results of a confirmatory second test are still awaited. Both tests were conducted in Zurich.

The officer has been suspended and was flown back to India as a passenger. He is expected to remain off duty until the medical examination report is received and an investigation is completed.

The disruption affected flight AI 151, which was scheduled to operate from Zurich to Delhi. The service could not depart as planned and was rescheduled to the following day.

Switzerland's Federal Office of Civil Aviation said the aircraft operator and India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation had been informed about the matter.

Air India said it follows a zero-tolerance approach to any breach of safety, regulatory or company protocols, adding that confirmed violations are dealt with firmly and action is taken in line with regulatory requirements and company policy. The airline said it has reiterated to all flight crew the importance of operating to the highest standards of safety, professionalism and integrity, and that it conducts regular awareness and compliance training, mandates testing for psychoactive substances, and enforces strict disciplinary measures that may go beyond minimum regulatory requirements.

The case follows an incident on August 4, when an Air India flight from Phuket to Delhi lost about 300 feet of altitude while flying over Odisha. The aircraft, AI-2379, was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members. More than 20 passengers and four crew members were injured, though the plane landed safely in Delhi. The pilot in command subsequently tested positive for marijuana in two drug tests and was later dismissed. He was identified as Sudeep Vashistha, who claimed he had taken medication for sleep difficulty.