More frequent screenings for flight crew on top of existing protocols
PETALING JAYA: Malaysia-based airlines are stepping up drug and alcohol testing for pilots and cabin crew following a Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM) directive requiring all operators to screen active flight crew within 30 days.
Batik Air chief executive officer Datuk Chandran Rama Muthy said the airline will be ramping up the frequency of these tests, noting that procedures are already part of their existing protocol.
“At the same time, all crew and engineering ground staff will also go through the full sweep screening,” he said when contacted.
He also said that the drug tests will be carried out under CAAM-approved alcohol and drug testing programmes within 30 days, as per the regulatory body’s safety directive.
AirAsia Group Bhd Group chief executive officer Bo Lingam said the airline group has zero tolerance for drug use, adding that it already has a practice in place for drug and alcohol tests.
“We maintain high fit-to-fly requirements and conduct frequent drug and alcohol testing.
“This is already an existing and ongoing part of our safety protocols for all pilots and cabin crew and is not a new measure,” he said when contacted.
Bo said any crew member found unfit to operate, including through drug or alcohol testing, is immediately removed from the system.
“We take these responsibilities seriously and remain committed to the highest safety standards across the group.
“This includes cabin crew, pilots, engineers and ramp personnel. We do random testing for everyone almost every month so everyone in the system will be covered,” he added.
Malaysian Aviation Group also began mandatory drug screening for all 1,260 Malaysia Airlines pilots as part of tightened safety and fitness-for-duty measures.
This comes following the arrest of one of its pilots in Jakarta after drugs were allegedly found on him.
CAAM chief executive officer Datuk Capt Norazman Mahmud said all airline operators in Malaysia must conduct drug testing on their active flight crew and cabin crew within 30 days.
“Flight crew members or cabin crew members returning from leave or joining after the exercise are also required to undergo similar tests before returning to or commencing operational duty,” he said in a safety directive.
Other immediate safety measures to be taken include reviewing the recruitment and background screening processes for personnel holding airport security passes.
Operators are also required to conduct a comprehensive review of its alcohol and drug testing programme to verify that it remains present, suitable, operating and effective in detecting current and emerging drug threats.
As part of long-term measures, Norazman said CAAM had directed operators to progressively implement and establish comprehensive fitness-for-duty programmes, enhance reporting mechanisms and expand training on alcohol and drug misuse.
On a related matter, the Health Ministry stated its readiness to work with the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency, Home Ministry and Transport Ministry to examine and refine areas of cooperation in implementing the Strict Urine Test Policy, if necessary.
The ministry said this was part of efforts to strengthen the integrated implementation of policies and measures to prevent drug abuse in the workplace.
“The policy must comply with all laws, regulations and government guidelines currently in force.
“However, its implementation is not a legal obligation that automatically applies to all employers.
“It is subject to the organisation’s considerations and decisions based on operational needs, risk assessment and good governance principles,” it said in a statement to The Star.
The ministry said the Strict Urine Test Policy was an organisational control policy formulated and enforced by a company or department to ensure a workplace free from drug abuse, while maintaining employee safety, integrity, discipline and well-being.
