WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration has proposed civil penalties against two major U.S. airlines after investigations found failures to comply with required drug and alcohol follow-up testing for employees in safety-sensitive roles.
The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking a $304,272 fine against Southwest Airlines for allegedly failing to ensure required follow-up testing for 11 employees, including pilots, flight attendants, and aircraft mechanics. According to the agency, those employees had previously tested positive for substances such as marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines but continued performing safety-sensitive duties between August 2021 and July 2024 without completing mandated testing.
In a separate enforcement action, the FAA also proposed a $255,000 civil penalty against American Airlines. The agency alleges that between May 2019 and December 2023, American allowed 12 flight attendants who tested positive for drugs or alcohol to return to safety-sensitive duties without completing all required follow-up testing. The substances involved included alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine.
Federal regulations require employees who violate drug and alcohol policies to undergo evaluation, pass return-to-duty testing, and complete a monitored follow-up testing program that can last up to five years. At least six tests are required in the first year alone. The FAA said airlines are responsible for enforcing these requirements and ensuring employees remain compliant before returning to duty.
Both airlines have 30 days to respond to the FAA’s enforcement actions. Each carrier may contest the findings, seek a settlement, or accept the proposed penalties.
