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Malaysia Airlines has completed mandatory drug screening for all its operationally active pilots, with all tests returning negative, its parent company, Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), announced today, 17 August
The screening exercise was completed by the 15 August deadline set by MAG after the group announced strengthened drug testing measures following the arrest of a Malaysia Airlines pilot in Indonesia for allegedly trafficking more than 70,000 ecstasy pills.
According to MAG, all 1,260 operationally active pilots have now been screened.
MAG president and group chief executive officer Captain Nasaruddin A Bakar described the completion of the first phase as an important milestone, but said the group's screening efforts 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," he said.
"We are moving ahead with screening across other operational groups to ensure the same rigorous standards are applied consistently across our airlines."
MAG president and group chief executive officer Captain Nasaruddin A Bakar.
Image via New Straits Times2,840 Malaysia Airlines cabin crew next
MAG will now begin mandatory drug screening for approximately 2,840 Malaysia Airlines cabin crew.
The screening will start on 18 August and be progressively ramped up, with completion targeted by 3 September 2026.
The group said the wider programme is intended to ensure the same standards are applied across its airline operations.
MAG's subsidiary Firefly has already screened more than half its crew
As of 15 August, more than half of Firefly's 158 pilots and 163 cabin crew had been screened, with all results returning negative so far.
Firefly is expected to complete screening of all remaining pilots and cabin crew by 25 August, ahead of the 5 September deadline set by the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (CAAM).
This means MAG's screening programme has now moved beyond the 1,260 Malaysia Airlines pilots initially targeted following the Jakarta arrest.
Random drug testing will continue
MAG said the mandatory screening will not replace its existing random testing programme.
The group's Safety and Health team will continue conducting random drug tests, alongside further cooperation with the authorities.
The enhanced measures also build on MAG's existing fitness-for-duty framework, which includes pre-employment screening, medical certification, recurrent training, periodic alcohol and drug testing, mandatory pre-flight compliance checks, and crew fitness assessments.
"We will continue taking the necessary steps to strengthen our safeguards, uphold operational standards, and maintain the confidence of our passengers and stakeholders," Nasaruddin said.
The measures were introduced after a 39-year-old Malaysia Airlines pilot was arrested at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Jakarta on 28 July.
Indonesian authorities allegedly found more than 70,000 ecstasy pills and methamphetamine in his luggage.
The pilot was subsequently questioned by Malaysian narcotics investigators in Jakarta, who said he provided information about alleged drug syndicates and previous drug-smuggling operations.
He also told the investigators that no airport insiders helped him bypass security checks at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA).
Two Malaysia Airlines pilots walk through KLIA.
Image via Bernama