Till June 30 this year, 23 pilots tested alcohol positive. (Photo for representational purpose only)
A total of 122 pilots tested positive for alcohol during pre-flight medical check-ups between 2013 and June 30 this year, the government said told the Lok Sabha today.
In 2013, 30 pilots were found alcohol positive during pre- flight medical check-ups though the number came down to 26 in 2014, Minister of State for Aviation Jayant Sinha said in a written reply.
However in 2015, the figure again shot up as 43 pilots failed the blood-alcohol test.
Till June 30 this year, 23 pilots tested alcohol positive. All the 122 erring pilots have been put under suspension. Of those caught with alcohol in their system, 34 were from Mumbai and 31 from Delhi.
Mr Sinha said of the 23 pilots found positive for alcohol till June, 22 were suspended after first violation, while one pilot was suspended for second violation.
He said that on or before June 6, 2014, as per the norm, such pilots were suspended for three months for the first violation and for five years for the second violation.
"From June 6, 2014, such pilots are suspended for three months for the first violation and for three years for the second violation," he said.