An Air India co-pilot was deported from the United States on Tuesday after marijuana was allegedly discovered in his bag upon arrival at San Francisco International Airport, in the latest conduct-related incident to hit the Tata Group-owned carrier.
The pilot was travelling as "staff on duty" in the passenger cabin on a Delhi-San Francisco flight, set to operate the return flight.
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On arrival, US authorities allegedly found marijuana in his bag, and he was not allowed to leave the airport, Times Of India reported. Authorities then informed Air India, and it was decided to send the pilot back to India on the next available flight. Air India also informed the DGCA about the situation.
In a statement, an Air India spokesperson said: "One of our crew members travelling from Delhi to San Francisco on April 14, for positioning to operate a subsequent flight, was found to be 'inadmissible' as per local laws and has been sent back to India. Air India maintains zero tolerance towards any violation of the law and upholds the highest standards of safety, compliance, and professional conduct. Appropriate strict disciplinary action will be taken as per laid-down company policies."
While some countries permit medicinal use of marijuana, India does not. The pilot was not operating the cockpit on the inbound flight; he was deadheading — traveling as cabin crew to position himself for his next assignment — making it a legal and disciplinary matter rather than an immediate flight safety one.
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The episode is not an isolated one for the airline. In December 2025, Canadian authorities removed an Air India captain from command of a Delhi-bound flight at Vancouver International Airport after he failed two breathalyser tests. Airport duty-free staff had initially raised concerns after allegedly detecting the smell of alcohol.
Moreover, Air India has also been one of the foreign carriers most affected by the outbreak of hostilities in the Middle East — a region which accounts for 16% of its total capacity and which is now largely grounded.
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