Malaysia Airlines Orders Drug Tests for 1,260 Pilots After 70,000-Pill Smuggling Case
Updated
Updated · One Mile at a Time · Aug 7
Malaysia Airlines Orders Drug Tests for 1,260 Pilots After 70,000-Pill Smuggling Case
3 articles · Updated · One Mile at a Time · Aug 7
Summary
August 15 is the deadline for all 1,260 Malaysia Airlines pilots to complete mandatory drug screening, with anyone not cleared barred from operating flights.
The move follows the arrest of a 39-year-old second officer in Indonesia after authorities found more than 70,000 ecstasy pills; he also tested positive for methamphetamine, ecstasy and cocaine.
Malaysia Airlines said the officer was not flying the Kuala Lumpur-Jakarta service but was riding in the cockpit jump seat as an observer after being off duty for two days.
The carrier said the aircraft was operated safely by two qualified pilots and framed the sweep as an immediate tightening of a safety regime that already includes pre-employment checks, medical certification and periodic alcohol and drug testing.