India Considers Banning Perfumes for Pilots and Flight Attendants

October 2, 2023, New Delhi, India: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the aviation safety regulator in India, is considering banning pilots and flight attendants from using perfume.

The proposed ban is aimed at reducing the risk of false positive breathalyzer tests. Alcohol is a common ingredient in perfumes, and even a small amount of alcohol on the breath can trigger a false positive test.

The DGCA has proposed a new amendment to the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) that would prohibit pilots and flight attendants from consuming any alcohol or substance containing alcohol, including perfume, within 24 hours of duty.

The proposed amendment is currently open for public comment, and the DGCA will make a final decision after considering the feedback received.

If the ban is implemented, it would be the first of its kind in the world. However, other countries, such as the United States and the United Kingdom, have strict rules in place regarding alcohol consumption by pilots and flight attendants.

The proposed ban has been met with mixed reactions from the aviation industry. Some pilots and flight attendants have expressed concerns that the ban is too strict and that it will make it difficult to maintain their personal hygiene. Others have supported the ban, saying that it is necessary to ensure the safety of passengers and crew.

The DGCA has defended the proposed ban, saying that it is necessary to reduce the risk of false positive breathalyzer tests. The agency has also said that it is committed to working with the aviation industry to find a solution that is both safe and practical.

Here are some reasons why the DGCA is considering a ban on perfume for pilots and flight attendants:

• Perfume can interfere with the accuracy of breathalyzer tests. Breathalyzer tests are used to check for alcohol consumption, which is strictly prohibited for aircrew.
• Perfume can trigger allergic reactions in some passengers and crew members.
• Perfume can be distracting and may interfere with the ability of aircrew to focus on their duties.

Here are some arguments against a ban on perfume for pilots and flight attendants:

• Perfume is a common personal care product and it is unnecessary to ban it for aircrew.
• A ban on perfume would infringe on the personal freedom of aircrew.
• There is no evidence that perfume has caused any safety incidents in aviation.

Overall, the proposal to ban perfume for pilots and flight attendants is a controversial one. There are valid arguments on both sides of the issue. It is important to weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks of the proposal before making a final decision.