India to step up breath testing of aircrew

India’s directorate general of civil aviation is cracking down on air crew who attempt to fly after drinking alcohol.

DGCA chief Nasim Zaidi has proposed 100 percent pre-flight breath tests for the entire crew — pilots and cabin crew — of all scheduled domestic and international flights operated by Indian carriers.

At present, only random checks take place that are intensified during festive seasons and New Year’s Eve.

Scheduled airlines are supposed to do pre-flight testing of 60 percent of crew on a random basis.

The Times of India says Zaidi is pushing for 100 percent testing as part of his “zero tolerance” policy.

DGCA has also brought in the provision for imposing hefty fines along with a jail term for air crew who fail breath tests.