>Canada’s transport regulator has asked Air India to investigate an incident of a pilot who was removed from a plane before it was due to take off and found to be under the influence of alcohol, a person familiar with the matter said.
>Two breathalyzer tests conducted by Canadian police at Vancouver International Airport showed the pilot was unfit for duty, the person said on Friday. The incident was labelled as a “serious matter” by Transport Canada in a letter to Air India and authorities are likely to pursue enforcement action, the person added.
>The person requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media. Transport Canada did not respond to an e-mailed request for comment outside regular working hours.
>In a statement, Air India said the flight from Vancouver to Delhi on Dec. 23 experienced a last-minute delay due to the incident, adding that an alternate pilot was brought in to operate the flight. The airline said Canadian authorities raised concerns about the pilot’s fitness for duty but did not provide details.
>“The pilot has been taken off flying duties during the process of enquiry. Air India maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any violation of applicable rules and regulations,” Air India said.
>“Pending the outcome of the investigation, any confirmed violation will attract strict disciplinary action in line with company policy.”
>The aircraft was a Boeing 777, a model that can seat up to 344 passengers, according to the websites of Flightradar24 and Air India.
>The letter from Transport Canada official Ajit Oommen has asked Air India to provide its findings and details of steps taken to prevent future occurrences by Jan. 26, the person familiar with the matter said.
portstrix on
Air India’s poor safety record is well known. They have frequently been sanctioned by the EU for their issues, and been suspended from flying there before.
9999AWC on
I GUARANTEE they were not flying an A321 out of Vancouver as pictured
Bluko on
He can always stay in Canada and become a truck driver.
Davidpalmer4 on
Canada did a great job identifying that. I am sure Indians and even Air India would appreciate this.
That is how mutual cooperation should be demonstrated to ensure safety of people.
Great job Canada!
lelouch312 on
Bed bugs, awful passenger behavior and now drunk pilots. Should we be allowing this airline into canadian airspace?
banananachi on
“I was drunk. I’m drunk right now…”
Individual-Food9757 on
Better he got taken off before drunkenly flicking the fuel switch a min after depart .
Cookiemonster23x3 on
Good. Even Indians who can afford to, avoid this airline.
Banned_LUL on
Canadian citizen material ™️
SteveJobsBlakSweater on
I’ve been through a lot of BS with various airlines – Flair, United, Air China, etc… but one flight with Air India was enough for me to fully swear I’ll never fly with them again. And (at least back then) I wasn’t even thinking about the sobriety of the pilot.
Timely-Island-7477 on
I flew on Air India few times on Toronto <-> Delhi sector. These planes are in bad shape and falling apart. It is a disaster awaiting to happen. It is not a matter of if, but when aviation disaster is to happen on Air India
12 Comments
>Canada’s transport regulator has asked Air India to investigate an incident of a pilot who was removed from a plane before it was due to take off and found to be under the influence of alcohol, a person familiar with the matter said.
>Two breathalyzer tests conducted by Canadian police at Vancouver International Airport showed the pilot was unfit for duty, the person said on Friday. The incident was labelled as a “serious matter” by Transport Canada in a letter to Air India and authorities are likely to pursue enforcement action, the person added.
>The person requested anonymity as they were not authorized to speak to the media. Transport Canada did not respond to an e-mailed request for comment outside regular working hours.
>In a statement, Air India said the flight from Vancouver to Delhi on Dec. 23 experienced a last-minute delay due to the incident, adding that an alternate pilot was brought in to operate the flight. The airline said Canadian authorities raised concerns about the pilot’s fitness for duty but did not provide details.
>“The pilot has been taken off flying duties during the process of enquiry. Air India maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any violation of applicable rules and regulations,” Air India said.
>“Pending the outcome of the investigation, any confirmed violation will attract strict disciplinary action in line with company policy.”
>The aircraft was a Boeing 777, a model that can seat up to 344 passengers, according to the websites of Flightradar24 and Air India.
>The letter from Transport Canada official Ajit Oommen has asked Air India to provide its findings and details of steps taken to prevent future occurrences by Jan. 26, the person familiar with the matter said.
Air India’s poor safety record is well known. They have frequently been sanctioned by the EU for their issues, and been suspended from flying there before.
I GUARANTEE they were not flying an A321 out of Vancouver as pictured
He can always stay in Canada and become a truck driver.
Canada did a great job identifying that. I am sure Indians and even Air India would appreciate this.
That is how mutual cooperation should be demonstrated to ensure safety of people.
Great job Canada!
Bed bugs, awful passenger behavior and now drunk pilots. Should we be allowing this airline into canadian airspace?
“I was drunk. I’m drunk right now…”
Better he got taken off before drunkenly flicking the fuel switch a min after depart .
Good. Even Indians who can afford to, avoid this airline.
Canadian citizen material ™️
I’ve been through a lot of BS with various airlines – Flair, United, Air China, etc… but one flight with Air India was enough for me to fully swear I’ll never fly with them again. And (at least back then) I wasn’t even thinking about the sobriety of the pilot.
I flew on Air India few times on Toronto <-> Delhi sector. These planes are in bad shape and falling apart. It is a disaster awaiting to happen. It is not a matter of if, but when aviation disaster is to happen on Air India