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PUTRAJAYA - Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has completed mandatory drug screening for all operationally active Malaysia Airlines pilots, with all test results returning negative.
In a statement today, MAG said the exercise was completed in line with the Aug 15 timeline announced under the group’s strengthened safety and fitness-for-duty measures across its operations.
MAG President and Group Chief Executive Officer Captain Nasaruddin A. Bakar said the completion of the first phase marked an important milestone, but screening would continue across other operational groups.
"The completion of this first phase is an important milestone in the measures we committed to implementing, but work does not stop here. We are moving ahead with screening across other operational groups to ensure the same rigorous standards are applied consistently across our airlines,” he said in a statement today.
He said MAG would continue applying rigorous standards across its airlines while strengthening safeguards and maintaining operational standards and the confidence of passengers and stakeholders.
Following the completion of screening for Malaysia Airlines pilots, Nasaruddin said MAG will begin screening approximately 2,840 cabin crew members from Aug 18, with completion targeted for Sept 3.
Meanwhile, he said screening is also underway for pilots and cabin crew of sister airline Firefly.
"As of Aug 15, Firefly has screened more than half of its 158 pilots and 163 cabin crew, with all results to date returning negative. Firefly is on track to complete screening for all its remaining pilots and cabin crew by Aug 25, well ahead of the Sept 5 deadline set by the aviation regulator, Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM),” he noted.
Nasaruddin said that MAG would also maintain continuous random testing led by its Safety and Health team as part of efforts to prevent and eliminate substance misuse within the organisation.
He added that the measures complement its existing fitness-for-duty framework, including pre-employment screening, medical certification, recurrent training, periodic alcohol and drug testing, mandatory pre-flight compliance checks and crew fitness assessments. - BERNAMA
