January 4, 2026 | Vancouver, British Columbia — Dalena Reporters
VANCOUVER — An Air India pilot was detained and removed from duty at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) on December 23, 2025, after authorities determined he was under the influence of alcohol while preparing to operate an international flight, prompting a safety investigation and regulatory warning from Canadian officials.
According to Transport Canada and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), the pilot was arrested following a “report of concern” involving a crew member while preparing to command Air India’s daily scheduled service to Delhi. The flight was delayed for several hours, departing later in the evening with an alternate crew after the affected pilot was removed from the flight deck.
Canadian regulators indicated that the pilot failed preliminary fitness-for-duty standards after two breathalyser tests flagged alcohol in his system. Transport Canada confirmed that under Canadian aviation regulations, pilots and crew are prohibited from performing duties within 12 hours of consuming alcohol or while under its influence — a rule intended to safeguard flight operations and passenger safety.
In response to the incident, Transport Canada issued a stern warning to Air India, signalling that failure to adhere to Canada’s strict safety and alcohol-consumption rules could lead to suspension or cancellation of the airline’s flight authorizations under the Aeronautics Act. The agency has engaged with Air India and India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to ensure appropriate follow-up actions, including a review of compliance and reporting by January 26, 2026.
Officials underscored that while the primary regulatory oversight of Air India rests with India’s DGCA, foreign airlines operating in Canada must fully comply with Canadian aviation standards while within Canadian jurisdiction. The RCMP and Transport Canada have stated that the investigation remains ongoing, and no further details have been released at this stage.
Air India has confirmed the pilot has been taken off flying duties pending the outcome of the inquiry and emphasised its zero-tolerance policy on rule violations. The airline said it is cooperating with authorities as they review the incident.
The episode has highlighted the critical importance of strict regulatory enforcement in global aviation safety, particularly regarding crew fitness and alcohol consumption protocols that are widely upheld in international aviation practice.