Reuters
Air India has expanded mandatory psychoactive-substance screening after two additional pilots returned preliminary positive results following the Phuket-Delhi A320neo incident. The pilots have been temporarily de-rostered while final test results are awaited; the airline had already ordered testing for its entire pilot workforce after an earlier positive result.
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Air India has expanded mandatory psychoactive-substance screening after two additional pilots returned preliminary positive results following the Phuket-Delhi A320neo incident. The pilots have been temporarily de-rostered while final test results are awaited; the airline had already ordered testing for its entire pilot workforce after an earlier positive result.
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Air India plans to add more than 100 aircraft across its group in 2027 and 2028 as it pursues a fleet overhaul despite ongoing challenges. Meanwhile, Akasa Air has agreed to a sale-and-leaseback for up to seven Boeing 737-8-200s with Avolon to support further growth.
Tata Sons Chairman N. Chandrasekaran’s sudden plan to step down is raising concerns about the Indian conglomerate’s commitment to major national-priority projects, including Air India, semiconductor manufacturing and iPhone production. The leadership transition could introduce uncertainty around the group’s continued investment in these strategic businesses.
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Air India will begin mandatory substance testing for its pilots after the captain of an A320 that dropped about 300 feet on a Phuket–Delhi flight reportedly tested positive for cannabis. The incident injured 24 passengers and remains under investigation by India’s AAIB and DGCA amid reported technical warnings.
N. Chandrasekaran will not seek another term as Tata Sons chairman when his current tenure ends on February 20, 2027. His planned departure opens a leadership transition for the Tata Group as it advances Air India’s transformation and broader aviation and MRO strategy.
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India’s civil aviation ministry confirmed that the Air India captain involved in a sudden altitude loss after severe turbulence will undergo further laboratory testing after an initial psychoactive-substance screening result. Separately, Malaysia is imposing drug tests on pilots and cabin crew, alongside expanded random testing.
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Tewolde Gebremariam will succeed Campbell Wilson as Air India’s chief executive and managing director, bringing extensive airline leadership experience to the Tata Group-owned carrier. His appointment comes as Air India confronts mounting losses, regulatory scrutiny and the operational fallout from last year’s deadly crash.
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