NEW DELHI, Dec. 6 (Xinhua) -- Four pilots of a Indian private airline have been grounded over the past one week for failing alcohol tests, airline sources confirmed on Friday.
The pilots belonging to the private airline SpiceJet were subjected to the pre-flight medical tests, including alcohol tests between Nov. 29 and Dec. 2 and were tested positive, according to the sources.
According to media reports, all of the four pilots, including a woman, used to fly Boeing 737 aircraft, the capacity of which ranges between 85 and 215 passengers.
A statement issued by the airline's spokesman said the four were grounded with regard to the guidelines and rules of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
"Crew members have to take a compulsory breath analysor test before operating a flight. SpiceJet has a zero tolerance approach to pilots flying under the influence of alcohol," said the airline's statement.
According to the DGCA rules, a crew member tested positive has to be grounded for three months in case of violation for first time, and three years for a second violation, and flying license would be cancelled for the third time.
