India Faces Global Scrutiny Over Aviation Standards

The competence and professional conduct of Indian aviation have come under global scrutiny following a series of recent incidents. The perceived reality regarding the capabilities of Indian pilots has become a point of international concern.

Following a string of air crashes, an Air India pilot was reportedly arrested in Canada for intoxication. This incident has raised questions regarding the oversight within the aviation system. According to reports from the British news agency Reuters and the Azerbaijani outlet News.AZ, an Air India flight was grounded at a Canadian airport after a pilot was found to be under the influence of alcohol. He was immediately removed from the flight prior to takeoff.

In response, Canadian transport regulators have demanded that Air India conduct a formal probe into the pilot’s conduct. Additionally, reports indicate that an Indian airline pilot recently tested positive for drugs, leading Canadian authorities to raise serious safety concerns regarding medical clearance protocols.

These incidents follow the tragic event on June 12, when an Air India aircraft crashed near Ahmedabad, resulting in 274 fatalities. Investigations into that disaster pointed toward a combination of engine failure, ATC negligence, and a lack of timely emergency response.

According to global aviation experts, air safety issues in India are no longer seen as isolated incidents but rather as a broader management failure. Experts suggest that repeated accidents, allegations against crew members, and regulatory warnings serve as evidence that the civil aviation oversight system has weakened. The current state of professional conduct within the sector is increasingly viewed as a significant risk to passenger safety.