Cabin crew union complains of 'deeply flawed' testing procedure
No clear procedures or formal guidelines were followed in April 16 test
The Union of Cabin Crew has called for a better testing process after reports that members of a KM Airlines cabin crew had tested negative in a drug and alcohol test but were still allowed to board a Rome flight on April 16.
The airline said on Tuesday that 15 crew members were tested during random screening. Two crew members initially returned ‘non-negative’ results but they were later confirmed to be negative for alcohol and drugs, and the attending medical professional declared them fit to operate.
The cabin crew union said it supported such random testing, but in this instance, the test was deeply flawed.
No clear procedures or formal guidelines were followed at the time of testing, it said, and the results were not communicated transparently to the crew.
The individuals conducting the test appeared underprepared, with no clear understanding of the correct protocol. The affected crew were allowed to operate the flight without any prior indication of an issue, which, the union said, later resulted in public scrutiny and unwarranted reputational damage.
This situation arose entirely due to systemic shortcomings, not individual negligence, the union said.
Following this incident, the union said it intervened to ensure that there was adherence to the Drug and Alcohol Policy; that a formal investigation was made by Transport Malta; and that measures were taken to ensure that such procedural failures do not recur.
The union reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of all crew and ensuring that all safety procedures are conducted with integrity, clarity, and professionalism.
It said it would hold management accountable when processes failed the very people they are meant to protect.