Pilots flying “high” as 29 fail breathalyser tests
22 Jul 2009
New Delhi: As many as 29 pilots flying Indian carriers have failed pre-flight breath analyser tests conducted to detect alcohol consumption. According to a government statement in the lower house of parliament, the maximum number of guilty pilots were flying liquor baron Vijay Mallya's Kingfisher Airlines.
Kingfisher topped the list of erring airlines with eight pilots failing the breath test. Low-cost carriers IndiGo and SpiceJet were not too far behind with six pilots each. JetLite, Paramount and Jet Airways also had pilots in happy spirits with three pilots each in the guilty list.
''Any pilot found to be alcohol positive is immediately grounded for a period of up to six weeks," Patel informed the Lok Sabha through a statement.
On international flights, the DGCA often conducts post-flight breath tests to see if the cabin or cockpit crew have been served alcoholic drinks meant for passengers.
