India’s aviation regulator has ordered two airlines to file criminal charges against fight crew who recently failed post-flight alcohol tests.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked Air India and Jet Airways to make a criminal report to police after a pilot from each airline failed the random tests immediately after flying a jet from overseas.
The pilots have already been suspended for four years.
"To ensure compliance of the rule, you are requested to lodge FIR (First Information Report) against the above crew member with a police station of appropriate jurisdiction within a period of one week. A copy of the FIR so filed may please be forwarded to DGCA at the earliest," a letter addressed to each airline said.
This is the first time the DGCA has ordered an airline to pursue criminal action against an employee.
Media reports said both pilots had failed pre-flight alcohol test in the past.
In 2015, a total of 43 pilots tested positive for excess alcohol.
