DGCA Considers Barring Pilots, Cabin Crew from Using Perfumes, Mouthwash – News18

Pilots may soon be asked to not wear perfumes and use mouthwash as they contain alcohol and could show a false positive during a breath analyser test, according to sources in the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The aviation regulator has called for comments from stakeholders on amending the provisions under the Aircraft Rules, 1937.

Sources told News18 that the proposed clause reads that “no crew member shall consume any drug or use any substance such as mouthwash/tooth gel/perfume or any such product which has alcoholic content. This may result into positive breath analyser test. Any crew member who is undergoing such medication shall consult the company doctor before undertaking flying assignment.”

According to the Civil Aviation Requirements’ guidelines, all operators on the scheduled/ charter/ non-scheduled flights originating from India, crew and cabin crew members undergo a pre-flight breath-analyser examination at the first departure airport during a flight duty period.

The air safety guidelines, with specific regard to alcohol consumption first issued in 2015 and amended from time to time, say even when the blood alcohol levels in the body are zero, there could be some effect of hangover, which is mainly due to congeners.

Pilots and cabin crew are regularly subjected to pre-flight breath analyzer tests in India, which are among the most stringent alcohol regulations for aircrew in the world. An immediate three-month licence suspension is possible for even the smallest amount of alcohol consumption, which is seen as a favourable result.

Last year, 41 Indian pilots and 116 cabin crew members had their licences temporarily suspended after testing positive for alcohol.