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Malaysia Aviation Group has introduced mandatory drug screenings for all active pilots following the arrest of a Malaysia Airlines pilot in Indonesia over alleged drug smuggling and a positive test for multiple narcotics.
The aviation group, which owns Malaysia Airlines and budget carrier Firefly, announced on Friday that the new measures would go beyond standard industry requirements, with screening to begin for 1,260 pilots from the national carrier.
The company said all tests must be completed by August 15, and pilots who have not undergone screening will not be permitted to operate flights until they receive clearance.
The decision follows the arrest of a 39-year-old pilot at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport last month after Indonesian authorities accused him of attempting to smuggle more than 70,000 ecstasy tablets in his luggage after arriving from Kuala Lumpur.
Indonesian customs officials said the pilot’s urine test returned positive results for methamphetamine, MDMA and cocaine. If convicted, he could face the death penalty under Indonesian law.
Malaysia Aviation Group said the detained pilot was not operating the aircraft during the journey from Kuala Lumpur. The company described him as a cockpit “observer” who had been “off duty for two days preceding the incident”.
It added that the aircraft involved “was operated safely at all times by two qualified operating pilots”.
Announcing the expanded screening programme, Malaysia Aviation Group President and Chief Executive Officer, Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar, said safety standards remained a priority.
“Operational safety and crew fitness for duty are non-negotiable,” he said.
The company said the new testing process will work alongside its existing random drug screening programme as part of efforts to strengthen safety procedures and ensure pilots remain fit for duty.
