New Delhi: Mandatory breath analyzer (BA) tests for all crew, pilots, and other staff involved in-flight operation will restart soon informed the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
Earlier, due to the second wave of the covid-19 pandemic, the mandatory BA test was paused.
DGCA told ANI that they are monitoring the situation.
“If there is no third wave, we will restore it to 100 percent.” said DGCA to ANI.
Recently, Arun Kumar, the DGCA chief, held a meeting to discuss several issues in which the mandatory breath analyzer test was also discussed.
“We have asked the officer and the stakeholders to submit a detailed report on this.” the DGCA official added.
Moreover, DGCA officials informed that currently, the airports do random tests instead of breath analyzer tests.
Earlier, Air India Pilot Union and several other airlines wrote to DGCA to stop breath analyzer tests as it increases the risk of infection during the outbreak of the covid pandemic.
Further, DGCA officials asserted that a maximum of 5 percent of pilots and cabin crew members would undergo pre-flight breath analyzer test daily. Not more than six people would be tested at any time of the day.
This announcement comes after the Delhi High Court asks DGCA to issue guidelines to follow all the protocols for administering breath analyzer tests during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, the drunken-driving test has been resumed in the national capital.
