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DGCA: 13 Indian aviation workers failed breath tests in a month
Indian regulator the Directorate General of Civil Aviation said 13 aviation workers failed breathalyser tests in the past month.
They were suspended for three months.
It includes seven employees of IndiGo, and one each from GoAir and SpiceJet.
"Most of these, are involved in safety-sensitive functions at an airport and can be a potential source of serious incident or accident," a DGCA official said.
A month ago, the regulator issued new rules for tests to be expanded for airside workers, including those involved in aircraft maintenance, air traffic control and various ground handling functions.
It had previously been restricted to mostly flight crew.
A failed test, a refusal to take one, or deliberately evading a test, results in a mandatory three-month suspension, according to the new rules.
"Employers have taken punitive action as proposed in the Civil Aviation Requirement (Rules) and we acknowledge their cooperation and support", the official said.
Of the IndiGo employees who failed the tests, two are customer service officers, four drivers and one is a cleaner.
The new rules, which took effect on September 16, cover more than 25,000 aviation workers including contractors employed by independent firms that do airside work on airport premises.
The rule requires that 10% of workers must be randomly tested on a daily basis.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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