Question : DGCA Guidelines for Breath Analyzer Tests

(a) whether it is a fact that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued revised guidelines for conducting pre-flight and post flight breath analyzer tests on the crew and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the DGCA is considering to intensify awareness programmes for flight and cabin crews about the side effects of liquor consumption in flight operations;
(c) whether it is also true that paramedics or doctors are conducting pre-flight breath analyzer tests at a designated place within the airport premises; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD))

(a) Based on the directions issued by Hon''ble High Court Delhi in its order dated 11.05.2021, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued comprehensive guidelines containing the requirements and the protocols to be followed for administration of Breath Analyser Test. The guidelines provide that:;
i. 25% of cockpit crew members and the cabin crew members shall be subjected to the random pre-flight Breath-Analyzer test for the entire operation of an Organization on a daily basis. This will be subjected to the limit that not more than six persons shall be tested in an hour. Airlines operators shall ensure that all operation bases are covered for random pre-flight breath-analyzer examination.
ii. 5% of Air Traffic Control Officers (ATCO) shall be subjected to random Breath-Analyzer test before commencement of duty at each Station on daily basis.
iii. Ground handling personnel shall be subjected to random Breath-Analyzer test before commencement of duty at each station on daily basis.

(b) Every airline has a training programme for pilots and cabin crew to create awareness regarding side effects of liquor consumption in flight operations. ;

(c) & (d) The procedure for conducting preflight breath analyzer examination is laid down in Para 6 of Civil Aviation Requirement (CAR) Section 5, Series F, Part III and quoted below:
"Operators shall have Doctor holding MBBS degree/ trained Paramedics/ Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)/ B.Sc (Nursing) on full-time employment of the company to conduct pre-flight breath-analyzer examination at a designated place within the airport premises".
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