Air India Pilot Caught Drunk in Vancouver; Canada vs. DGCA Rules Compared

• An Air India pilot was deplaned and arrested in Vancouver after airport staff reported him for smelling of alcohol before a Delhi-bound flight.
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police confirmed alcohol influence via breathalyzer tests, leading to the pilot's custody and Transport Canada's investigation.
• Canadian aviation rules (CARs) mandate a 12-hour 'bottle to throttle' period, with penalties up to CAD 5,000 for pilots and USD 25,000 for airlines.
• India's DGCA has a 'zero tolerance' policy, prohibiting any alcohol for 12 hours pre-flight, making it one of the world's strictest.
• DGCA penalties include license suspension (3 months for first offense, 3 years for second, permanent revocation for third) even for trace alcohol.

Why It Matters: Air India pilot caught drunk in Vancouver highlights strict global aviation alcohol rules, with DGCA being among the toughest.