(Reuters) — Air India’s director of operations Arvind Kathpalia, who failed two breathalyzer tests before he was scheduled to be a pilot on a London-to-New Delhi flight, has been fired and the airline will carry out an investigation.
The state-owned carrier said in a statement that the breach of Indian civil aviation requirements has “serious implications on passenger safety.” Air India said it wanted to assure its passengers that “under no circumstances” would their safety be compromised.
Earlier, an airline official said Kathpalia was asked to resign by India’s civil aviation ministry. But in its later statement Air India said he had been relieved of his duties “with immediate effect.”
Kathpalia, who said he had not been drinking and was the victim of internal feuding, could not be immediately reached for comment.
The investigation will be conducted by the airline’s chief vigilance officer, Air India said.
