The Canadian government's transportation agency cautioned Air India that failure to abide by alcohol consumption regulations could result in the revocation of its flight authorization.
Transport Canada issued a formal warning to Air India shortly after one of its pilots was discovered intoxicated and unfit for duty at Vancouver International Airport during pre-flight procedures.
The Associated Press reported that the Canadian government's transportation ministry threatened to cancel Air India's flight authorization if it disregarded alcohol consumption regulations.
The pilot was taken into custody by local police as a result of the December 23 incident.
In its letter, Transport Canada stated the following.
What was communicated to Air India by Transport Canada?
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police notified Transport Canada on December 23, 2025, that the pilot in question was intoxicated when he reported for duty for Air India flight AI186, according to the warning. The letter dated December 24 states that the police considered him unfit for duty.
The letter, which went viral on social media, added that he was ordered to exit the flight after RCMP conducted two breathalyser tests at Vancouver International Airport and verified the accusation.
Livemint was unable to independently confirm the veracity of the letter circulating on social media.
This incident shows that both the operator and the crew member violated Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARS) 602.02 and 602.03, as well as condition (g) specified in Air India's Foreign Air Operator Certificate (FAOC #1946) issued by Transport Canada Civil Aviation (TCCA). The RCMP and TCCA will probably take enforcement action, according to the purported letter.
According to an ANI report, Transport Canada acknowledged that it has formally engaged both Air India and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India to guarantee that the proper follow-up measures are implemented.
The authority has requested that Air India respond to it by January 26th, detailing its findings and the actions it taken.
According to the Aeronautics Act, "non-compliance with these regulations may result in the suspension or cancellation of a Canadian Aviation Document."
Transport Canada reaffirmed in a statement that it is totally forbidden for pilots and other crew members to perform their duties within 12 hours of consuming alcohol or while under the influence of alcohol.
The statement from Air India
The pilot had been getting ready for Air India's planned daily trip to Delhi, but it was delayed for many hours before it could depart safely, according to an AP report from a Vancouver Airport official.
According to the flight tracking website FlightRadar24, on December 23, AI186 was supposed to depart at 3 p.m., but it didn't leave YVR until 10:02 p.m.
One of the cockpit crew members was offloaded before takeoff, causing a last-minute delay for Air India's flight from Vancouver to Delhi. According to the airline, the crew member was taken for additional investigation when Canadian authorities expressed concerns about the pilot's suitability for duty.
The delay was caused by an alternate pilot being rostered to fly the flight in compliance with safety procedures. An Air India representative stated, "Air India is fully cooperating with the local authorities and regrets the inconvenience caused to its passengers."
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