India, Aug. 13 -- Air India on Thursday said all pilots will be screened for substance abuse before departures, days after the pilot-in-command of a Phuket-Delhi flight that lost altitude suddenly last week tested positive for marijuana.

In an email to all its employees reviewed by HT, the Tata Group-owned airline stressed the need to go beyond regulations prescribed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) " to uphold the highest standards of safety and professionalism, and to provide reassurance to our passengers, stakeholders and the community at large."

"We have decided to undertake a full screening of all Group pilots for any substances or medications that are not permitted under prevailing regulations. This testing is m...