Chief Pilot's Drug Test Results Awaited, Crew Suspended

The civil aviation authority in New Delhi has disclosed that the chief pilot of Air India flight AI2379 is pending the final drug‑test report after an unexpected altitude loss during the flight’s cruise phase on August 4. The A320 aircraft, identified as VT‑EXO, lost approximately 300 feet before regaining stability and completing a safe touchdown in Delhi. The incident resulted in minor injuries to several travelers and cabin crew members. The aircraft’s manifest listed 137 passengers, including three infants, and eight crew members. In accordance with the established standard operating procedures, the flight crew was subjected to a psych‑active substance screening. The captain’s initial results triggered a requirement for a confirmatory test, which has been dispatched to a designated laboratory. While awaiting the definitive outcome, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has placed both the captain and the first officer on roster suspension. Subsequent actions will be guided by the laboratory findings and the investigation’s conclusions.