DGCA Revises Breath Analyser Rules For Pilots, Cabin Crew: What It Means

India’s aviation safety regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has revised rules on alcohol testing for pilots and cabin crew under the Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR). The changes redefine what counts as a positive alcohol test and introduce new penalties to strengthen flight safety.

New Threshold For Breath Analyser Tests

Under the updated norms, a breath analyser reading is considered positive only if the blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds 0.009 grams per 100 mL. Previously, any detectable amount of alcohol was treated as a violation.

For the first time, readings up to 0.009 g/100 mL are not treated as punishable. Instead, crew members with such readings will be off‑rostered and counselled.

However, the rules still make it clear that crew members must not consume any alcohol, mouthwash, or substances with alcoholic content within 12 hours of duty.

Changes To Penalties

The revised CAR details enforcement actions for breath analyser violations:

• First confirmed positive test above threshold: Three‑month suspension of licence or approval.
• Second positive test: Three‑year suspension.
• Third positive test: Cancellation of licence or approval.
• Missed pre‑flight or post‑flight tests: Penalties ranging from warnings to suspension depending on repeat offences.
• Expatriate pilots: A positive test leads to cancellation of their Foreign Aircrew Temporary Authorisation (FATA).

For post‑flight violations, penalties are even stricter, with licence suspension or cancellation possible after repeated offences.

Airlines Can Impose Stricter Rules

Although the DGCA now allows minor trace readings with counselling, airlines are free to have tougher internal policies. Some carriers, like Air India and IndiGo, have set stricter internal thresholds, where readings above 0.020 g/100 mL can lead to suspension or even termination under company policies.

Core Rule Still In Place

The long‑standing aviation safety rule requiring no alcohol consumption within 12 hours of a flight remains unchanged. The regulator also warns that even low BAC readings don’t rule out impaired performance due to lingering “hangover” effects.