Archive · 18 Aug 2026
Malaysia Airlines expands drug screening to cabin crew after arrest
Malaysia Airlines is a big airline that flies planes to many places.
The people who work on the planes are now being checked to make sure they do not use drugs.
This is called a drug test.
The airline decided to do this after one of its pilots got into trouble.
The pilot was arrested in Indonesia, a country far away.
Police said he had drugs in his suitcase.
They also said he tested positive for some strong drugs.
The airline said the pilot was not flying the plane that day.
Two other pilots were flying the plane, so everyone was safe.
Now the airline is testing all its pilots and flight attendants to keep passengers safe.
Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) announced it is expanding mandatory drug screening to more than 2,800 cabin crew members.
The expansion follows completed drug testing of all Malaysia Airlines pilots, who all returned negative results.
A 39-year-old Malaysia Airlines pilot was arrested last month at Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport.
Indonesian customs officials said the pilot tested positive for methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine and allegedly tried to smuggle over 70,000 ecstasy tablets.
MAG said the arrested pilot was traveling as a cockpit observer, not active crew, and faces a potential death penalty under Indonesian narcotics laws.
- Who
- Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG), parent company of Malaysia Airlines, and a 39-year-old Malaysia Airlines pilot arrested in Indonesia
- What
- MAG is expanding mandatory drug screening to over 2,800 cabin crew members after completing pilot testing, following the pilot's arrest on drug-related charges
- When
- Announced on Monday, Aug 17; the pilot was arrested last month
- Where
- Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Indonesia, after a flight from Kuala Lumpur
- Why
- To reinforce safety commitments after the pilot was accused of testing positive for drugs and attempting to smuggle ecstasy tablets
- Airline
- Malaysia Airlines
- Parent company
- Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG)
- New screening scope
- More than 2,800 cabin crew members
- Pilot screening result
- All pilots tested negative for illicit substances
- Arrested pilot age
- 39 years old
- Arrest location
- Jakarta's Soekarno-Hatta International Airport
- Substances detected
- Methamphetamine, MDMA, and cocaine
- Alleged smuggled items
- Over 70,000 ecstasy tablets
- Potential penalty
- Death penalty under Indonesia's narcotics laws