Mumbai airport has set up three breathalyser stations at the airside to comply with directives of the aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), which require random breath analyser examination of officials on a daily basis.
The DGCA circular mandates that at least 10% of the individuals employed in their respective organisations engaged in safety-sensitive functions pertaining to airside operations are randomly subjected to breath analyser examination on a daily basis, when they report for duty at the airport.
“The breath analyser examination has been mandated by DGCA for the personnel engaged in aircraft maintenance, Air Traffic Control (ATC) services, aerodrome operations and ground handling services for detecting consumption of alcohol,” officials said.
Disciplinary action will be taken by the DGCA against personnel found to be in breach of regulations.
A Mumbai International Airport Ltd. (MIAL) spokesperson said that as per a commitment given by the airport operator, the airport has now expanded its existing passenger safety measures in compliance with the latest directive given by the aviation regulator.
The earlier requisite demanded detection of the consumption of alcohol only among the on-duty pilots and cabin crew through a breath analyser test. With the newest requirement, the examination is now applicable to all employees performing safety-sensitive activities at the airside.
The breath analyser examination at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) will be carried out through the existing 24/7 medical centres available at the airport terminals and the three newly added facilities at the airside.
“Every person performing safety-sensitive activities at the airside would be subjected to the breath analyser examination, which includes personnel from aerodrome operations, aerodrome rescue and firefighting, ground handling, aircraft maintenance, and ATC,” the spokesperson said.
The DGCA requirement states that the organisation must use a scientifically valid method such as a random number table or a computer-based random number generator to select the personnel for testing.
“Passengers’ safety holds the highest priority and GVK MIAL endeavours to provide passengers with utmost security through thorough checks by experienced in-house medical team for employees working at the airside. This is a further assurance to the passengers that when they fly via Mumbai, they not only receive world-class amenities but also services that are as per strict guidelines laid down by regulatory bodies,” the MIAL spokesperson said.
