Breath Analyser Tests resumes for pilots, cabin crews: DGCA

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on September 14 ordered to resume mandatory Breath Analyser Test (BAT) for all pilots and cabin crew. The decision has been taken after witnessing a decline in COVID-19 cases and increasing passenger footfall.

The decision has been taken in view of falling COVID-19 cases and an increase in the volume of air traffic as a result of the resumption of normal operations, said DGCA.

Earlier, due to the pandemic, only six such personnel were allowed to undergo the test in one hour.

Considering the passenger’s safety, a Breath Analyser Test or an alcohol test is a mandatory pre-flight and post-flight test for pilots and cabin crew.

Earlier on Tuesday, taking note of a plea moved by DGCA, the Delhi High Court said that the conduct of Breath Analyser Test (BAT) for staff of ATC, commercial pilots, cabin crew, and other staff members shall continue as per the guidelines issued by the DGCA in light of the status of COVID-19 pandemic.

Justice Pratibha M Singh passed this direction on the plea.

Later, the court granted liberty to DGCA to move an application seeking modification at a later stage. However, the court, for the time being dispensed its earlier direction mandating only six personnel shall be tested in one hour in view of increase in air traffic and reduction in Covid-19 cases. Thus, at this stage, the said test would continue to be mandatory, in terms of the order of May 11, 2021, the court said.

The High Court earlier passed the directions in May 2021 mandating the Rapid Antigen Test (RAT) of the medical staff before conducting BAT for aviation staff including other directions.