Toronto | December 25, 2025

 

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Canadian aviation authorities have flagged a serious safety lapse involving Air India after an airline captain was allegedly found under the influence of alcohol before operating an international flight from Vancouver.

 

Transport Canada, in a letter dated December 24, 2025, informed senior Air India officials that Captain Saurabh Kumar reported for duty on Flight AI186 (Vancouver–Vienna) on December 23 while allegedly intoxicated and unfit to fly. The information was conveyed by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

 

According to the letter, the RCMP conducted two breathalyser tests at Vancouver International Airport, both of which confirmed alcohol consumption beyond permissible limits. The pilot was subsequently advised to leave the aircraft.

 

Transport Canada said the incident constitutes a violation of Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs) 602.02 and 602.03, along with conditions stipulated under Air India’s Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC). The authority noted that enforcement action is likely to be initiated by both the RCMP and Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA).

 

Calling it a “serious safety concern,” Transport Canada has directed Air India to take corrective measures and submit a detailed response by January 26, outlining its internal findings and steps taken to prevent recurrence.

 

Parallel Safety Action by India’s DGCA

 

The development comes amid heightened scrutiny of Air India’s operations. A day earlier, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), issued a show-cause notice to an Air India pilot over safety concerns related to Flights AI-358 and AI-357.

 

The DGCA cited issues involving aircraft dispatch, Minimum Equipment List (MEL) compliance, and flight crew decision-making, alleging that the pilot accepted the aircraft despite repeated technical snags and system degradation. The regulator also noted that a smell of smoke was reported near a door during the AI-358 flight.

 

“Serious safety concerns arose pertaining to aircraft dispatch, MEL compliance, and flight crew decision-making,” the DGCA said in its notice.

 

Air India has yet to issue a public statement on either matter.