Mumbai, September 16: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued Civil Aviation Requirements for mandatory breath analyser test on Monday. Personnel engaged in maintenance, Air Traffic Control (ATC), aerodrome operations and ground handling services will undergo BA test. According to reports, 10 percent of the staff are to be tested on a random basis. DGCA has asked airports to adhere to the order by December 31. DGCA to Make Breath Analyser Test Compulsory For Airport Staff; New Rule to be Implemented Next Week.

Currently, the DGCA conducts 100 percent breath analyser test on pilots and cabin crew. According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) recommendations, the alcohol level in should be zero for safe flying. Around 250 - 300 crew members fail in BA test, while nearly 50-60 pilots fail BA test every year, reported The Asian Age. Hair Serum Cause Positive Alcohol Test, Air India Pilot Suspended.

ANI's Update:

In July, an Air India pilot was grounded for three months after he tested positive in a pre-flight BA test. The pilot wanted to fly as a passenger from Delhi to Bengaluru. Since the flight was full, he requested to fly in the cockpit as an additional crew member. In July, reports also surfaced that over 20 pilots from various airlines across the nation were temporarily suspended by the aviation regulator that month.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 16, 2019 07:01 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).