Air India Express Takes Strict Action Against Flight Crew

Air India Express has suspended eight crew members for three months after they failed to complete the mandatory post-flight declaration within the stipulated time. The crew of a Dubai-Amritsar flight was required to undergo the post-flight declaration and breathalyser test within two hours of landing at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport in Amritsar. However, they reported for the test 35 minutes late.

The airline reported the incident to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Although all eight crew members tested negative for alcohol, the airline suspended them for violating the prescribed procedure. The action comes amid increased scrutiny of crew testing following a recent Phuket-Delhi flight incident in which the pilot-in-command tested positive for a psychoactive substance.