New Delhi: Twenty four pilots have been
found alcohol-positive in their pre-flight medical
examinations this year till November 30, which on some
occasions led to delay in operations, the Lok Sabha was
informed on Thursday.
"24 cases have been reported to the Directorate General
of Civil Aviation (DGCA) from January 1 to November 30 this
year where pilots were found alco-positive in the pre-flight
medical test," Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said in a
written reply.
The Minister said an Air India Express international
flight from Chennai to Singapore was delayed by 30 minutes
after the pilot was found positive on the Breathalyzer test.
Patel said there were appropriate DGCA provisions, which
stipulates punishments for such erring pilots and cabin crew.
In reply to another query, he said there was no
difference between the overall wage package of the foreign and
Indian pilots working in Air India, which has employed 151
pilots for its operations.
Replying to another query, the Minister said around 3,884
flights were being operated from 46 different airports across
the country.
Delhi and Mumbai led the tally in terms of number of
flights with 666 and 654 flights respectively operating from
there everyday.
PTI
