PUTRAJAYA, Aug 17 — 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 August 15 timeline announced under the group’s enhanced safety and fitness-for-duty measures.
MAG president and group chief executive officer Nasaruddin A. Bakar said the completion of the first phase marked an important milestone, but screening would continue across other operation 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 keep up rigorous standards across its airlines while strengthening safeguards and maintaining operational standards and the confidence of passengers and stakeholders.
After the screening for Malaysia Airlines pilots, Nasaruddin said MAG will start screening 2,840 cabin crew from tomorrow, with completion targeted for September 3.
Meanwhile, he said screening is also underway for pilots and cabin crew of sister airline Firefly.
“As of August 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 August 25, well ahead of the September 5 deadline set by aviation regulator Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM),” he noted.
Nasaruddin said MAG would maintain random testing under its safety and health team 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.
