Air India’s operations department head was suspended by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation on Wednesday for skipping the mandatory breath-analyser test before a flight, reported ANI. However, Air India Pilot Union has written to the DGCA saying that they were not satisfied with the action taken against the erring pilot. Capt A Kathpalia was taken off flying duty on February 9 after pilots’ union Indian Commercial Pilots Association complained against him.

The airline had reported the matter to the DGCA, and subsequently ordered an investigation by a five-member panel. Crew members are not allowed to drink any alcoholic beverage 12 hours before a flight, according to Rule 24 of Aircraft Rules. Crew members are also required to take a medical test before a flight to prove that they have not consumed alcohol in 12 hours. Anyone who flouts the rule or refuses to take the medical test is to be taken off flying duty for at least a month and face disciplinary action.