The incident happened at the Vancouver International Airport on December 23. (Photo: Air India)
Canada’s transport regulator has asked Tata Group-owned Air India to investigate a recent incident, in which a pilot was removed from a plane before it was due to take off, after he failed an alcohol test.
According to Reuters, Transport Canada, in a letter to Air India, stated that the incident was a “serious matter”. The report, citing an unnamed source, also added that Canadian authorities are likely to pursue enforcement action against the pilot in connection with the case.
The pilot has been taken off flying duties during the process of the enquiry, Air India said. (Photo: Reuters)
The letter from Transport Canada official Ajit Oommen has asked Air India to provide its findings and details of the steps taken to prevent future occurrences by January 26.
What happened on December 23?
The incident happened at the Vancouver International Airport on December 23. Air India flight AI 186 from Vancouver to Delhi experienced a ‘last-minute delay’ after the pilot was forced to be taken off duty.
According to reports, the pilot was tested after a staffer at Vancouver duty-free either saw him inadvertently sipping wine or found him smelling of liquor while he was buying a bottle. She reported this to the Canadian authorities, who conducted a breath analyser test after which he was detained.
The Reuters report said that two breathalyser tests conducted by Canadian police at Vancouver International Airport showed the pilot was unfit for duty.
Air India flight AI 186 from Vancouver to Delhi experienced a ‘last-minute delay’ after the pilot was forced to be taken off duty. (Photo: Unsplash/Representational Image)
Canadian rules state that a pilot cannot operate an aircraft within 12 hours of consuming an alcoholic beverage.
What Air India said
Earlier, Air India, in a statement aknowledged the incident and said an investigation has been launched.
“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.”
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The incident happened at the Vancouver International Airport on December 23. (Photo: Air India) 
