DGCA’s revised breath analyser testing rules took effect on Feb 9, including mandatory cancellation of a pilot’s licence after three pre-flight positive alcohol tests and permanent cancellation of an expatriate pilot’s FATA after a single positive test in India.

Airlines operating in India must update BA testing SOPs, reporting workflows, and crew rostering controls immediately to avoid last-minute flight disruptions from off-rostering and enforcement actions. Expatriate pilot staffing becomes less flexible because a single positive test now permanently removes the pilot’s India operating authorisation, increasing replacement and training lead times. The three-strike licence-cancellation threshold raises personal compliance risk for pilots and increases operator exposure to sudden capacity loss on specific fleets or bases if repeat violations occur.