100%
of active flight crew and cabin crew at Malaysian airlines must be drug tested under CAAM Safety Directive 02/2026, with more unannounced random and reasonable-suspicion testing to follow.
IndustriesAviation
Aviation drug and alcohol testing for Malaysian airlines, airports and ground crews
Malaysia's aviation regulator now requires drug testing for all airline flight and cabin crew. Give your crew and ground teams the breathalyzers, drug test kits and policy they need to show every safety-critical person is fit for duty.
Aviation in Malaysia at a glance
30 days
is the window CAAM gave airlines to complete the drug testing and submit a declaration of compliance. Crew returning from leave must be tested before they resume duty.
1,260
Malaysia Airlines pilots are being screened under mandatory drug testing, announced after the arrest of one of its pilots in Jakarta.
Malaysian Aviation Group, reported by The Star, 9 August 2026
Testing equipment
that works in the crew room and on the ramp
Choose the method that suits each testing situation. Many operators use more than one.
Breath alcohol testing
Portable and wall-mounted breathalyzers for crew rooms, briefing points and ramp access. Our breathalyzers are certified to Australian Standard AS3547 and calibrated every 12 months.
Urine drug testing
MDA-registered UDAT kits show use over a longer window. They suit pre-employment and periodic screening.
Saliva drug testing
Saliva kits detect recent drug use, from roughly the last 5 to 48 hours. Testers can collect in a crew room or on the ramp with no toilet or private room.
Your approved testing program
Airlines test under an alcohol and drug testing program (ADTP) approved by CAAM. We supply the equipment and advise on practical setup, so check your own program for the methods and laboratories it requires.
Who should have an
aviation drug and alcohol policy?
Any business that puts people in safety-critical roles around aircraft has a duty of care to them and to the travelling public. That includes:
- Airlines and other air operator certificate holders
- Charter, cargo and helicopter operators
- Ground handling and ramp service providers
- Airport operators and security pass holders
- Aircraft maintenance and engineering organisations
- Flight training organisations
The cost of
impairment in aviation
Impairment on the flight deck, in the cabin or on the ramp puts people, aircraft and your operating licence at risk. A testing program helps you catch it before duty begins.
Flight safety
A slow reaction or poor judgement on the flight deck leaves very little room to recover.
Cabin emergencies
Cabin crew must act fast in an evacuation or medical emergency. Impairment puts every passenger at risk.
Ramp and ground operations
Tugs, loaders and fuel trucks work close to aircraft. One impaired operator can damage an aircraft or injure colleagues.
Regulatory action
CAAM can verify testing records, carry out unannounced inspections and use its enforcement powers where requirements are breached.
Grounded flights and delays
An unfit crew member can ground a flight and disrupt every sector that follows.
Reputation and trust
Passengers, partners and insurers expect strong fitness-for-duty controls. One incident can damage all three.
What should an aviation drug and alcohol policy
contain?
A clear policy tells crew and ground staff what is expected, when they will be tested and what happens after a non-negative result. Build testing into your safety management system and train the people who will run it.
Pre-employment and pre-assignment
Screen new crew, engineers and ramp staff before they start safety-critical work.
Before duty
Breath test crew and ground staff at check-in or briefing, before they start a duty.
Random testing
Test a share of staff without notice, including night operations and extended duty periods.
Reasonable suspicion
Test straight away when a supervisor sees behavioural, physical or operational signs of impairment.
Post-incident
Test after any incident, near miss or damage to an aircraft or equipment.
Return from leave and return to duty
Test crew coming back from leave before they resume operational duty, and set clear conditions after a positive result.
CAAM Safety Directive 02/2026
Issued on 7 August 2026. Requires Malaysian airlines to drug test all active flight and cabin crew within 30 days, review their testing programs and increase unannounced random and reasonable-suspicion testing.
Alcohol and drug testing program (ADTP)
Each operator tests under its own program, reviewed by CAAM. Check your program before you choose equipment or a testing provider.
Occupational Safety and Health Act 1994, Section 15
Your duty as an employer to provide a safe workplace, so far as is practicable.
OSHA 1994, Section 24
Every employee must take reasonable care of their own safety and that of others at work.
DOSH Code of Practice (2005)
DOSH guidance on preventing and eradicating drug, alcohol and substance abuse at work, covering policies, committees and training.
Personal Data Protection Act 2010
Rules on how crew test results and other personal data are collected, stored and shared.
Airport, lessor and client requirements
Airports, lessors and handling contracts may set their own alcohol and drug rules. Check your agreements before you finalise your policy.
What aviation operators
usually screen for
What a crew screen can cover
AlcoholCannabis (THC)AmphetaminesMethamphetamineCocaineOpiatesBenzodiazepinesKetum / Kratom
What a kit detects, and for how long, depends on the device, the sample type and the panel you choose.
Screen for alcohol with a certified breathalyzer
Get a reading in seconds and record it for audits.
Screen for drugs with saliva or urine kits
Send any non-negative result to an accredited laboratory for confirmation, and keep testing records ready for audits.
From first call
to testing on duty
Talk to an advisor Aviation testing guides
Guides to help you build and run a drug and alcohol program for your crew and ground staff.
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How alcohol testing fits DOSH guidelines on preventing alcohol and drug problems at work.
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Andatech Malaysia maintains a 12-month calibration schedule for breathalyzers
Why we calibrate breathalyzers every 12 months and how our reminders work.
Frequently asked
questions
Still unsure? Talk to our team and we'll help you find the right testing approach for your crew and ground staff.
Does CAAM require drug testing for airline crew?
Yes. CAAM Safety Directive 02/2026, issued on 7 August 2026, requires Malaysian airlines to drug test all active flight crew and cabin crew within 30 days and to increase unannounced random and reasonable-suspicion testing. Read the CAAM news release and check your own testing program for the details that apply to you.
Can we test ground and airport staff too?
Yes. Portable breathalyzers and saliva kits need no lab or collection room, so you can test in a crew room, a hangar or at a ramp briefing point. Many operators extend their policy to engineers, ramp staff and security pass holders.
Which test suits a quick pre-duty check?
A breath test takes seconds, so it suits check-in and briefing. Saliva kits suit random, reasonable suspicion and post-incident testing.
Do you carry out testing for our airline?
No. We supply the equipment and advise on your policy and testing process, so your own trained staff or your chosen provider can run the tests.
How often does a breathalyzer need calibration?
Once a year. Our local office calibrates your units and sends a reminder before the due date.