DGCA Proposes A Ban On The Use of Perfumes By Pilots And Cabin Crew

Indian aviation industry is proposing a ban on the use of perfumes by pilots and flight attendants. The Office of the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the regulatory authority in the field of civil aviation, while updating its bylaws regarding the ban of alcohol consumption, mentioned also about banning certain products due to alcohol traces in them.

The draft reads: “No crew member shall consume any drug or formulation or use any substance such as mouthwash, tooth gel, perfume, or any such product that has alcoholic content. Any crew member who is undergoing such medication shall consult the company doctor before undertaking flying assignment,” reports CNN.

Even though how perfume might influence the breath analyser tests are not clear, it assume that high alcohol content in perfume might result in a false positive breath test.

It was in August 2015, the official air safety requirements for the DGCA were ratified. The aviation regulator is inviting public comments on this new guideline from the 5th of October.

The pre-flight breath analyser tests, are one of the most stringent alcohol regulations for aircrew in the world. Pilots and cabin crew need to undertake the test regularly, and test results showing traces of even small amount of alcohol could lead to instant three-month suspension of license.

Last year, 41 Indian pilots and 116 cabin crew members had their licenses temporarily suspended after testing positive for alcohol, News 18 reports.

Pilot drunkenness is an issue has affected aviation industry all over the world.

In 2018, Katsutoshi Jitsukawa, a Japanese pilot has been sentenced to 10 months in prison at Isleworth Crown Court for being caught with more than nine times over the legal alcohol limit.

In 2019, Gabriel Lyle Schroeder, a Delta Airline pilot was taken into custody before flight allegedly being drunk.