New Delhi: An Air India pilot was removed from an aircraft at Zurich airport by authorities before take-off after being found under the influence of alcohol. Subsequent sobriety tests indicated blood alcohol content above the permissible limit, grounding the flight and prompting an investigation by Switzerland's aviation regulator.




The incident, which occurred on September 6, is the latest in a series of cases where Air India crew have broken rules — including one where a pilot operated an aircraft under the influence of drugs — adding to the challenges facing incoming CEO Tewolde Gebremariam, who has identified building a safety culture as his priority.



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Ground handling staff at Zurich noticed the pilot smelling of alcohol and alerted authorities, who removed him from the plane before departure.




Pilots operating flights originating from India are subject to mandatory pre-flight drug and alcohol tests. On flights departing from foreign airports, however, testing typically happens after landing. Both Air India and IndiGo maintain a under which even a minor trace of alcohol constitutes a violation.




The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation (FOCA) confirmed to ET that it has taken action against the pilot under Swiss regulations and informed India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). "As a result, flight AI 151 from Zurich to Delhi could not be operated as scheduled. The responsibility for further handling of this case lies with the DGCA as the competent authority of the state of the operator," a FOCA spokesperson said.




The incident has also drawn scrutiny from the DGCA, which has asked Air India to strengthen its safeguards. The regulator is set to face an audit by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and any adverse outcome could result in restrictions on Indian carriers' American operations.




Senior pilots blamed a growing disconnect between management and cockpit crew for the lapses. "There is a yawning gap between the top management and the flying pilots. The top management is chasing growth. The people flying the aircraft are not getting the attention they deserve," said a senior Air India captain on condition of anonymity.



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Senior Air India officials, however, said the Zurich incident was reported by the airline's own staff — a sign, they argued, that its safety monitoring system is working. "There will be some bad apples. The expectation is that responsible colleagues will report any dereliction in duty. Safety remains the cornerstone of Air India," an official said. The airline has also stepped up leadership engagement with flight crew, expanded fleet-specific sessions on health, wellbeing and professional responsibilities, and introduced additional support mechanisms for crew members, officials said.




An Air India spokesperson said the airline maintains a zero-tolerance policy on safety and regulatory violations. "Any confirmed breach is dealt with firmly and action in accordance with regulatory requirements and company policy is enforced," the spokesperson said.