These breathalyser tests were conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The audit was held at the Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru airports starting September. Airports in Patna, Bhubaneswar, Vizag and Coimbatore were added in January.
TIMESOFINDIA.COMAir traffic controllers, who are currently not tested, will also eventually be covered, said people with knowledge of the matter.
NEW DELHI: You would want airport ground staff to be happy, it makes for better service — but not merry, for that may involve issues of passenger and flight crew safety. Yet, 150,000 breathalyser tests taken over a four-month period ending this January at several airports found 131 on-duty airport employees exceeding the permissible alcohol intake limit.
These tests were conducted by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). The audit was held at the Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bengaluru airports starting September. Airports in Patna, Bhubaneswar, Vizag and Coimbatore were added in January.
Employees tested included those in key roles such as aerobridge operators, airplane push-back operators, refuelling assistants, bus drivers, mechanics and security personnel, besides baggage handlers and other technicians. They are employed by airlines, airport operators and groundhandling companies, according to the audit report ET has reviewed.
Penalties imposed varied, according to the report. Jobs of three employees were terminated, others were taken off airside duty and some first-time violators suspended for three months. A second breach will mean a 12-month suspension. Airside refers to the zone beyond the security check and passport control, including runways.
Director general of civil aviation Arun Kumar proposed these tests in August 2019. Till then, breathalyser tests were conducted only on flight crew. The regulator is now testing ground staff at all airports.
“The implementation of breath analyser regulations has been a revelation. We found violations almost every day and (those caught) have been dealt with according to provisions. All these are potential sources of negligence and may result in a safety breach,” Kumar told ET. “We have implemented it across all our airports and perceive that it will further improve our safety standards.”
Air traffic controllers, who are currently not tested, will also eventually be covered, said people with knowledge of the matter.
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