Malaysia airline on the runway
Malaysia Airlines’ parent firm announced on Friday mandatory drug screenings for its pilots, after one of them tested positive for a cocktail of narcotics and was arrested in Indonesia for smuggling.
Authorities at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport arrested the 39-year-old pilot last month, shortly after arriving from Kuala Lumpur, for allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 70,000 ecstasy tablets in his suitcase.
Malaysia Aviation Group said in a statement on Friday that it would carry out tests “for all active pilots, beyond industry practice”.
The group, which also owns budget airline Firefly, said the process would begin with 1,260 pilots from the national carrier, with tests to be completed by August 15.
