From 10% to 100%: Aviation ministry weighs annual dope tests for all pilots
The Indian aviation ministry is considering a policy shift to mandate annual drug testing for all pilots, moving away from the current 10% random sampling rule. The government is currently consulting with stakeholders to balance aviation safety requirements with the operational impacts of such a mandate.
Why it matters
This potential policy change reflects a global trend toward stricter safety and substance-use regulations in the aviation industry to ensure passenger security.
NEW DELHI: The aviation ministry is considering mandating dope tests for all pilots at least once a year, civil aviation minister Ram Mohan Naidu Kinjarapu said on Tuesday.The current rules require dope testing of 10 per cent of the overall pilot network, but the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is examining whether testing can be expanded to cover every pilot at a random time during the year.“There are multiple ways of approaching this dope test. Right now, the rule says 10% across the overall pilot network.
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