This is definitely not a good look for Air India, especially given everything we’ve seen at the airline in recent times.
Canadian authorities investigate intoxicated Air India pilot
Canadian regulators are calling on Indian regulators and Air India to provide an explanation, after a concerning incident that happened on December 23, 2025. Specifically, this involves Air India flight AI186, a Boeing 777-300ER scheduled to operate from Vancouver (YVR) to Vienna (VIE) to Delhi (DEL).
What reportedly happened is that an employee at the airport’s duty free shops noticed the smell of alcohol coming from the breath of an Air India pilot. That person reported it to airport police, and subsequently, two breathalyzer tests were performed on the pilot, which confirmed that he had a blood alcohol level above the legal limit.
The airline eventually managed to roster a replacement pilot. While the flight was initially supposed to depart at 3PM, it ended up taking off around seven hours late, a little after 10PM. That’s actually sort of impressive, because I’m curious how exactly they went about rostering the crew. Was the initial crew (aside from the intoxicated pilot) otherwise still “legal” after a seven hour delay, or did they somehow swap the crew completely?
Transport Canada, Canada’s regulator for aviation, wrote a letter to their counterparts in India, plus Air India, demanding an explanation:
We were advised by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) that Captain Saurabh Kumar reported for duty on Air India flight AI186 on December 23, 2025, while under the influence of alcohol, and unfit for duty. Two breathalyzer tests conducted by the RCMP at Vancouver International Airport confirmed this, after he was advised to leave the aircraft.
This incident indicates a contravention of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) 602.02 by the Operator and the Crew Member, and CARs 602.03 by the Crew Member, as well as condition (g) outlined in Air India’s Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC # 1946) issued by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA). It is likely that enforcement action will be pursued by the RCMP, and by TCCA.
In light of this, we request Air India to
- Conduct a thorough review and investigation under your Safety Management System (SMS); and
- Provide details of corrective actions taken to prevent any such recurrence
In a statement, Air India has confirmed the incident, and has sort of apologized:
Flight AI186 from Vancouver to Delhi on 23 December 2025 experienced a last-minute delay after one of the cockpit crew members was offloaded prior to departure. Canadian authorities raised concerns regarding the pilot’s fitness for duty, following which the crew member was taken for further inquiry. In accordance with safety protocols, an alternate pilot was rostered to operate the flight, resulting in the delay.
Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to its passengers and is fully cooperating with the local authorities. 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. Pending the outcome of the investigation, any confirmed violation will attract strict disciplinary action in line with company policy. Safety remains Air India’s highest priority at all times.
I’m curious just how over the limit this pilot was
It goes without saying it’s unacceptable to be over the legal alcohol limit when you’re a pilot, given the number of people you’re responsible for, and the zero tolerance rules in place. Interestingly, in this case we don’t actually know how much over the legal limit the pilot was.
While any amount over the limit is unacceptable, there’s also a difference between someone having a blood alcohol level of 0.04% (legal to drive, but not to fly), and 0.4% (for most people, completely smashed).
It’s one thing if this pilot had been subjected to a random breathalyzer, but it’s alarming that this all originated when someone in duty free reported the pilot to authorities. I imagine that person must have been confident the pilot was intoxicated, rather than wondering if the pilot had just used mouthwash, or something. Huge kudos to the person who reported the pilot, for looking out for the safety of others.
Along similar lines, I always find it dismaying how it’s so rarely the crews that report an intoxicated colleague, but instead, typically some third party. It shows the herd mentality and camaraderie among crews. I have a hard time believing that in the hotel lobby, on the bus to the airport, and at airport security, not a single Air India pilot or flight attendant noticed this guy’s smell.
It’s much easier to just go along with what everyone else is doing and not saying anything, rather than being the person to voice uncomfortable concerns.
Bottom line
Canadian authorities are demanding answers from Air India, after a duty free worker at Vancouver Airport smelled alcohol on an airline captain’s breath. He was then subjected to a breathalyzer, which returned two positive results.
The flight ended up being delayed by around seven hours, and the airline and Indian authorities are now having to answer for how this happened, and what will be done to prevent this in the future.
What do you make of this intoxicated Air India pilot situation?
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