Run random dope test on staff: DGCA to aircraft operators

Mukesh Ranjan

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, September 27

The civil aviation regulator DGCA today issued a final order asking all scheduled commercial aircraft operators to carry out random drug testing on flight crew members and air traffic controllers with a view to curb possible use of psychoactive substances, including amphetamine, methamphetamine, cannabis, opioids and others, by aviation personnel.

The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in its order said, “The rules will be effective from January 31, 2022, and it will be applicable to aircraft operators engaged in commercial operations, maintenance and repair organisations, flying training organisations and air navigation service providers.”

In the order, the DGCA said under the scheme the operators have to ensure that at least 10 per cent of the employees are covered in a year while testing for drug abuse. While the aviation regulator already examines aviation personnel by breath analysers to check alcohol content in their bodies before commencing flight duties, a senior official said the latest move was to ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft.

“The worldwide spread of use of psychoactive substances, their general availability and the ever-increasing number of addicted users is a serious concern to aviation safety. Their use causes behavioural, cognitive and physiological changes. This manifests in dependence, major health related issues and negative effect on performance,” said the DGCA in the civil aviation requirement (CAR) order dated September 27, 2021.

“The organisations must ensure that all employees have an equal chance of being tested each time the selection is made. Specific individuals or groups must not be targeted, including certain locations,” said a senior official. “All positive cases needed to be reported to the DGCA within 24 hours. If the screening test is positive, the employee will be immediately removed from the safety sensitive duty till a confirmatory report is received,” the DGCA said.

“In case of a positive confirmatory test for the first time, the employee concerned will be referred to the de-addiction centre. In case a person, who has returned to safety sensitive duties after having been tested negative and is again found positive in the confirmatory test, the licence of such person will be suspended for three years and for third positive occasion, the license will be cancelled,” the regulator said.

Rules to become effective from Jan 31

• The DGCA says the operators have to ensure that at least 10 per cent of the employees are covered in a year while testing for drug abuse
• All positive cases needed to be reported to the DGCA within 24 hours
• The move has been initiated to ensure the safety of passengers and aircraft
• The Director General of Civil Aviation said, “The rules will be effective from Jan 31.”