As the country’s aviation regulator considers banning fragrances, pilots flying out of India may be unable to wear their favorite aroma.
Concerns have been raised about the use of alcohol-containing perfume, which could result in false positives on the pilots’ breathalyzer tests.
According to The Hindu, India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation is considering amending Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) with a new clause stating that “no crew member shall consume any drug/formulation or utilize any substance such as mouthwash/tooth gel/perfume or any other kind of product which has alcoholic content.”
According to perfume manufacturer Les Fleurs Du Golfe, ethyl alcohol is the predominant component of perfumes in terms of concentration, ranging from 60% to 95% in some circumstances. The strength of scent varies depending on whether it is eau de Cologne, eau de toilette, or eau de parfum.
India has some of the most stringent alcohol regulations for crews. Current CAR requirements, which apply to airlines flying out of India, compel all flight and cabin crew members to submit to pre-flight alcohol breath tests.
After testing positive for alcohol, 41 Indian pilots and 116 cabin personnel had their licenses temporarily suspended in 2022. According to aviation news website Paddle Your Own Kanoo, several crew members tested positive for the second time and were suspended for a complete year.
The current CARs warn against drinking too much the night before a shift: there is a reduction in task performance even 12 hours after a bout of drinking when the blood alcohol level stays zero. Alcohol in the body, even in tiny amounts, jeopardizes flight safety on multiple levels and is likely to influence an aviator far into the hangover period.
Also, Read Which Salt Is Healthier For Everyday Consumption?
Earlier this year, a United Airlines pilot received a six-month suspended prison sentence after arriving “staggering” inebriated despite claiming only two glasses of wine the night before.
Last week, a British Airways pilot was fired after allegedly snorting cocaine from a topless lady before flying a jet full of passengers back to London.
