The Indian government has issued a severe and unyielding warning to Air India, directing the airline’s management to immediately improve operations, tighten internal oversight, and take absolute responsibility for passenger safety. In tandem with this warning, the Civil Aviation Ministry has instructed the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to fast-track amendments to existing drug-testing regulations. The new directives aim to broaden the scope of aviation personnel subjected to mandatory screenings while implementing harsher penalties for individuals who test positive for prohibited substances, alongside fair review opportunities for those affected by legitimate prescription medications.

The Alarming Incident on Flight AI 2379

The government’s decisive stance comes in the wake of a harrowing incident on August 4, when Air India flight AI 2379 operating from Phuket to Delhi with 145 passengers on board encountered a severe mid-air technical malfunction. Compounding the emergency, the pilot-in-command subsequently tested positive in a dope test.

According to investigative sources, the pilot claimed he consumed sleeping pills due to personal distress, leading to the positive test result. Concurrently, aviation authorities are closely investigating the pilot’s conduct inside the cockpit following formal complaints lodged by members of the cabin crew regarding his behavior during the flight.

Government Warning: Culprits Will Not Be Spared

With the final investigative report regarding the tragic Ahmedabad accident in June—which claimed 260 lives—still pending, the administration is treating the AI 2379 incident with zero tolerance. Aviation Secretary Samir Sinha delivered a blunt message to Air India’s senior leadership, stating unequivocally that the airline must shoulder full responsibility and that any individuals found culpable during the ongoing investigations will face strict consequences without exception.

Mid-Air Technical Malfunction and Sudden Altitude Loss

The Ministry expressed profound outrage that flight AI 2379 narrowly averted a catastrophic disaster. Reports indicate that while cruising over Odisha, the aircraft triggered a cascade of emergency warnings concerning its triple hydraulic systems, door mechanisms, and the elevator control surfaces responsible for pitch adjustment.

During this critical window, the autopilot system abruptly disengaged, resulting in a sudden loss of altitude that left several passengers on board with injuries. Highlighting the gravity of the situation, a senior government official praised the co-pilot for exceptional composure, noting, “Given the pilot-in-command’s alleged condition and the continuous warning alarms inside the cockpit, we commend the co-pilot for safely landing the aircraft.”

International Probe and Demands for Technical Clarity

A high-level technical investigation is currently underway, featuring an expert team from Airbus alongside officials from the French aviation regulator. Simultaneously, the Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) is probing whether the cockpit warnings were genuine system indicators or false alerts, alongside identifying the root cause of the failure. In response, commercial pilots have formally demanded comprehensive technical transparency and a detailed explanation from Airbus regarding the malfunction. The latest incident has prompted regulators to introduce sweeping reforms designed to fortify aviation safety across Indian skies.