Air India suspends pilot after Zurich alcohol test

Air India suspended a first officer after a preliminary alcohol test was positive at Zurich Airport on September 6, before the pilot was due to operate flight AI 151 to Delhi. The pilot was removed from duty, and the case remains under review pending a final medical report and investigation. The Swiss Federal Office of Civil Aviation said it took action under Swiss regulations and informed India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). It also said AI 151 could not operate as scheduled. Accounts differ on the flight’s immediate status: some say it was rescheduled and departed the following day, while another says it was cancelled because replacement crew were unavailable. The reports do not reconcile that difference. Air India accounts say airline staff raised concerns about the first officer’s condition and alerted airport authorities, who conducted the preliminary test. Several reports say the first officer was later returned to India as a passenger. Air India has suspended the pilot while it awaits the final medical examination report and completes its investigation.