In a measure aimed at stepping up vigil and security for air passengers, the aviation regulator has ordered strict tests of all flight crew members and air site visitors controllers for psychoactive substances. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has ordered that all such personnel will be tested for cannabis and cocaine from January 31 next year, the Indian Express reported.
Rationale behind DGCA order
The regulator pointed at the spread of use of psychoactive substances worldwide, their simple availability and enhance in addiction as the chief causes for issuing the most recent order. Terming the developments “a serious concern to aviation safety”, the DGCA noted that the order was very important for the secure air travel in the nation. In the year 2020, a handful of months prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the regulator had issued a set of suggestions to be followed for testing aircraft crew and air site visitors controllers. A handful of weeks back, DGCA issued a further set of suggestions in which it has place the onus of testing aircraft personnel on the airlines and air site visitors service provider Airport Authority of India (AAI).
How will psychoactive substance tests be performed?
As per the most recent suggestions all industrial airlines operating in the nation alongside air navigation service providers will have to test a minimum of 10 % of their workers just about every year in a random style. The test will also be mandatory in case an airline or flying instruction organisation is admitting a new employee or trainee pilot. The airlines have also been instructed to ascertain and determine the set of workers who have in the previous refrained from having tested when such tests have been performed by a foreign regulator. If any crew member or air site visitors controller is located positive, the concerned airline will need to have to apprise the DGCA of the very same inside 24 hours.
What action will be taken against people located positive?
As per the suggestions such workers who have tested positive in the routine test performed by the airline will be sent for rehabilitation compulsorily just before becoming permitted to rejoin their duty. During the rehabilitation period, the employee will be removed from the operations of the aircraft or site visitors controller. Post the rehabilitation session has concluded such workers will be subjected to the very same test once again and will be permitted to join back their duties if the report comes out to be unfavorable.
Action against repeat offenders
If an employee is located positive in a drug test for the second consecutive time then his/her license will be cancelled for a period of 3 years, as per the most recent suggestions issued by the DGCA. In case an employee is productive in validating his/her license soon after 3 years and once again located positive for the third time in a row, the license will be permanently cancelled by the air travel regulator.