India’s civil aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has put forth a draft regulation that may require pilots and crew members to abstain from using perfumes during breathalyzer tests. This proposal stems from the fact that perfumes typically contain a significant amount of alcohol, which could potentially influence the results of the breathalyzer test.
According to the latest draft: “No crew member shall consume any medication, formulation, or use any substance like mouthwash, toothpaste, perfume, or any product containing alcohol that could lead to a positive result in a breathalyzer test. Any crew member who is taking such medication must seek guidance from the company doctor before taking on a flying assignment.”
The DGCA chief clarified, “This is merely a preliminary Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) draft released for public input and feedback.”
Airlines in India including the DGCA as the regulator, maintain strict protocols regarding breathalyzer tests prior to any flight operation. Consequently, these tests are consistently monitored via camera surveillance.
(Inputs from ANI)
