New Delhi: As many as 196 airline crew members reported drunk to work since 2006, Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel told the Lok Sabha on Thursday.
"For the period 2006 till date, 196 Alco positive cases
were reported to Directorate General of Civil Aviation," he
said in a written reply during Question Hour.
Patel said any crew member found Alco positive is
immediately grounded for a period of up to six weeks as per
procedures given in the Operations Manual of the concerned
airlines, along with loss of pay and allowances.
"In cases of repetition, severe action, such as
termination or withdrawal of other privileges, is also taken,"
he said.
Patel noted that pre-flight medical test of air crew was
mandatory, which includes Alco-sensor checks on random basis.
In reply to another query, the minister said there was
no shortage of pilots in the country.
"There is no shortage of pilots in the country. However,
there is a shortage of type rated commanders in some category
of aircraft, which is primarily due to induction of new type
of aircraft," Patel said.
Bureau Report
