Ottawa, January 2 - Transport Canada has formally requested Air India to conduct a thorough investigation into a serious aviation safety incident involving a pilot reporting for duty under the influence of alcohol. The episode occurred on December 23, 2025, at Vancouver International Airport, where an Air India captain was scheduled to operate flight AI186, initially bound for Vienna en route to Delhi. Following concerns raised about the pilot's fitness for duty, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police administered two breathalyzer tests, both confirming the presence of alcohol, rendering the crew member unfit to fly in violation of strict Canadian Aviation Regulations prohibiting alcohol consumption within 12 hours of duty or while impaired.
The regulator's letter, dated December 24, 2025, highlighted the incident as a contravention of key rules, including those barring operators from permitting impaired crew to operate aircraft and crew members from working under the influence. This breach also extended to conditions of Air India's Foreign Air Operator Certificate, emphasizing the potential risks to passenger safety and aviation standards. Transport Canada has directed the airline to review the matter under its Safety Management System, identify root causes, and implement corrective measures to prevent recurrence, with a detailed report due by January 26, 2026. Potential enforcement actions by Canadian authorities remain under consideration.
In response, Air India promptly offloaded the pilot, rostered an alternate crew member, and operated the flight after a delay, prioritizing aviation safety protocols. The airline has suspended the involved captain from flying duties pending the outcome of internal and regulatory inquiries, reaffirming its zero-tolerance policy for any violations of alcohol-related rules in pilot duty reporting.
This Air India pilot alcohol incident underscores ongoing global scrutiny of airline crew fitness and breathalyzer compliance, highlighting the critical importance of pre-flight checks in maintaining air travel safety amid rising concerns over impaired pilot cases worldwide. As investigations proceed, the case serves as a reminder of the rigorous standards enforced to protect passengers on international routes.