Air India has implemented a new policy requiring mandatory drug screening for all its pilots, a significant safety measure introduced after a captain on a recent flight from Phuket, Thailand, to Delhi, India, tested positive for marijuana. This comprehensive directive underscores the airline's reinforced commitment to upholding the highest standards of safety and professional conduct within its flight operations, notably by opting to exceed existing regulatory frameworks prescribed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The decision follows a turbulent incident last week involving an Air India flight, during which the aircraft experienced a sudden and significant loss of altitude, reportedly by 300 feet, resulting in injuries to a number of passengers on board. During the flight, the aircraft's internal monitoring systems logged a series of nine critical warnings within a single minute. These alerts included indications of low reservoir levels in both the Yellow and Blue hydraulic systems, an unexpected autopilot disconnect, and an identified elevator flight-control fault, pointing to potential technical challenges during the event.

Investigations into the incident revealed that the pilot in command of the Phuket-Delhi flight had reportedly informed authorities of his prolonged struggle with sleep, attributing it to personal circumstances. He admitted to investigators that he had slept for approximately 30 to 35 minutes during the flight. Subsequent mandatory testing conducted as part of the post-incident protocol detected the presence of marijuana in his system, directly leading to the airline's immediate and comprehensive action to implement universal drug screening across its entire pilot roster.

Air India has publicly stressed the imperative to go beyond the minimum regulations set by the DGCA, aiming to ensure unwavering adherence to the highest benchmarks of operational safety and professionalism among its flight crews. This additional safety measure is specifically designed to guarantee that all its pilots strictly comply with established regulations governing prohibited substances and medications, reinforcing the airline's proactive approach to aviation safety.

The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) has launched a full-scale probe into the incident, with its comprehensive report expected to shed more light on the precise circumstances surrounding the reported mid-air scare. The investigation is slated to meticulously examine several key concerns, including the specific conduct of the pilot, the allegations of drug use, and any possible underlying aircraft malfunctions. Investigators are tasked with determining what precisely triggered the sudden altitude change and whether the incident was primarily linked to human factors, technical issues, or a complex combination of both.