Turkish Airlines to test for alcohol, drug use in personnel

ISTANBUL – Anadolu Agency

Turkish Airlines personnel will be randomly selected through a computer program for testing alcohol and drugs. Hürriyet photo

Turkish Airlines (THY) has said it has begun to conduct alcohol and drugs tests on its personnel who are in critical positions in line with a procedure that went into effect last year.

The tests started in February 2013 as part of a “procedure to monitor alcohol and psychoactive substances,” THY’s press office announced today.

“Critical positions with regard to the operational security are defined by international aviation organizations, and they are not limited to pilots and cabin crew members. Dispatchers, load masters, operators, technicians, operation coordinators, chief controllers and plane security officials are also [in crucial positions],” said the statement.

Between 10 and 25 percent of personnel are slated to undergo the test within a year, said the THY statement. Personnel will be randomly selected for testing through a computer program.

“Breath tests are done for alcohol use, salivary and urinary tests are conducted for drug use control. Hair tests will be done in the event of a suspicion of addiction. If the test is positive, but the personnel objects to the test, a further test will be conducted, and this test’s result will be taken into account,” said the statement.

“If a positive test is approved in a laboratory analysis, the person will be sent to the discipline board,” said the statement.