​​​​​​​Canada, January 1: While drunk-driving is taken as a serious offence regarding its probable fatalities, an Air India Pilot has been offloaded from the flight on Thursday while he was about to fly the airbus in a drunken state in Canada.

He was eventually booked after the Canadian Cops raised concern over his abnormal behaviour while the Pilot was found taking alcohol fetching it from the Duty-Free Beverage store.

The incident took place at the Vancouver airport in Canada after the pilot on duty reportedly smelled of alcohol shortly before boarding a flight he was scheduled to operate last week. The incident came to the authorities for the inordinate delay of the take-off and passengers’ chaos.

As a part of disciplinary action, the pilot was soon assigned to operate a Delhi-bound flight while an interdisciplinary action was initiated againt him.

The incident took place on December 23, just ahead of Christmas while the Air India Authorities initiated proceedings against the offender today, on the basis of the probe.

According to reports, a staff member at the Vancouver airport's duty-free store had alerted the Canadian authorities after spoting a pilot drinking alcohol. The authorities subjected the pilot to a breath analyser test - which he failed, and he was subsequently detained, the reports added.

Air India, however, in its statement, said that the pilot was detained after the Canadian authorities raised concerns regarding his "fitness for duty".

"Flight AI186 from Vancouver to Delhi on 23 December 2025 experienced a last-minute delay after one of the cockpit crew members was offloaded prior to departure. Canadian authorities raised concerns regarding the pilot's fitness for duty, following which the crew member was taken for further inquiry. In accordance with safety protocols, an alternate pilot was rostered to operate the flight, resulting in the delay," the airline said.

It added, "Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to its passengers and is fully cooperating with the local authorities. The pilot has been taken off flying duties during the process of the enquiry. Air India maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards any violation of applicable rules and regulations. Any confirmed violation will attract strict disciplinary action in line with company policy. Safety remains Air India's highest priority at all times."