Air India Pilot Drunk, Removed from Flight; Canada Demands Probe

• An Air India pilot was removed from a Vancouver-Delhi flight on December 23 after two breathalyser tests confirmed he was under the influence of alcohol.
• Transport Canada deemed the incident a "serious matter," requesting Air India's findings by January 26 and likely pursuing enforcement action.
• Air India stated the pilot has been taken off flying duties, affirming a "zero-tolerance policy" for rule violations.
• The incident adds to Air India's scrutiny, following a Boeing Dreamliner crash and DGCA flagging multiple safety lapses and issuing warnings to other pilots.
• Canadian rules prohibit pilots from operating within 12 hours of alcohol consumption; India's DGCA proposes stricter alcohol testing, including permanent license loss for repeat offenders.

Why It Matters: Air India faces intense scrutiny after a pilot was found drunk, prompting a Canadian probe and highlighting broader safety concerns.