Air India Pilot Fails Breath Test at Vancouver, Detained Before Delhi Flight

• An Air India pilot was detained at Vancouver airport on December 23, 2025, after failing a breathalyzer test before operating a Vancouver-Delhi flight.
• A duty-free staffer reported the Boeing 777 pilot for possibly consuming alcohol or smelling of it, leading to Canadian authorities' intervention.
• Air India arranged a replacement pilot, causing a two-hour delay for flight AI 186, which eventually departed for Vienna and then Delhi.
• The pilot has been taken off flying duties, flown back to Delhi, and is under investigation by Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
• Air India maintains a zero-tolerance policy for such violations, expressing regret for passenger inconvenience and emphasizing safety.

Why It Matters: Air India pilot detained for failing breath test; airline emphasizes zero-tolerance for safety violations.