Air India's mandatory dope test for all its pilots comes amid a row over a captain of its Phuket-Delhi flight testing positive for marijuana.

New Delhi:  Air India has ordered a fresh mandatory dope test for all its pilots amid a row over a captain of its Phuket-Delhi flight testing positive for marijuana. The dope test is mandatory for both Air India and Air India Express pilots. The testing begins today and is mandatory for all pilots, as per the airline's formal letter sent to its employees.

"As you know, Air India already fully complies with all regulatory requirements prescribed by India's DGCA, which are similar to those practiced in other major aviation jurisdictions including Europe and the United States. We nevertheless now feel that it is important to go further. Accordingly, we have decided to undertake a full screening of all Group pilots for any substances or medications that are not permitted under prevailing regulations," the letter, accessed by NDTV, read.