Reuters Reveals Air India Pilot Used Marijuana During Flight

NEW DELHI: A final medical report has reportedly found that an Air India pilot had used marijuana during a flight, according to Reuters.

The report said the pilot was under the influence of marijuana during the flight, raising concerns about aviation safety and the use of drugs by airline crew.

According to the report, the aircraft reportedly dropped around 300 feet due to the pilot’s negligence, leaving more than 20 passengers and crew members seriously injured. The Air India flight to Delhi was carrying 137 passengers and eight crew members.

Air India has not commented on the reported drug use by the pilot.

Air India is majority-owned by the Tata Group, according to Indian media reports.

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Aviation experts have raised wider concerns about drug and alcohol-related incidents involving Indian pilots. They said 122 Indian pilots failed alcohol tests over a three-year period, while several other pilot-related incidents have also been reported in recent years.

Indian media reported that an Air India pilot was deported by US authorities in April 2026 after allegedly failing a drug test. In December 2025, Air India captain Saurabh Kumar was reportedly found intoxicated after landing in Vancouver.

Following a series of pilot-related incidents, Air India introduced a policy in May 2025 allowing immediate dismissal for alcohol-related violations, according to Indian media.

Concerns have also been raised about safety and hygiene standards at Indian airlines. Aviation experts pointed to reported incidents involving cockroaches on an AI180 San Francisco-Mumbai flight in August 2025 and a Delhi-Dubai flight in October 2025.

A 2025 audit reportedly identified 51 safety deficiencies at Air India, including issues related to training.

Aviation experts have warned that drug use, safety violations and weak oversight could put passengers at risk. They have also raised questions about the effectiveness of India’s civil aviation regulatory system in preventing repeated violations.

The reports come as Indian airlines continue to face operational and financial challenges, including route disruptions and regulatory concerns.