by Donald Wood
Last updated: 8:20 AM ET, Thu April 9, 2026
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)
announced a $255,000 civil fine against American Airlines and another similar
fine against Southwest Airlines for violating employee-related drug- and
alcohol-testing regulations.
According to Reuters.com,
FAA findings revealed that American allowed 12 flight attendants who tested
positive on “drug and alcohol” tests to continue “performing safety-sensitive
duties without completing all the required follow-up testing” between May 2019
and December 2023.
In response to the FAA notice, an American spokesperson told
Reuters that “the safety of our customers and team members is paramount. We
take drug and alcohol testing seriously and collaborate with the FAA to address
any issues.”
As for Southwest, the FAA announced a $304,000 fine for failing
to conduct mandatory follow-up drug or alcohol testing for 11 employees,
including “pilots, flight attendants, and aircraft mechanics.”
As part of the FAA investigation, the Southwest employees
who tested positive for marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines “performed
safety-sensitive functions” without the carrier performing the “required
follow-up testing.”
In response, a Southwest spokesperson told Reuters that the
airline took “immediate action more than two years ago to enhance our
procedures and to strengthen oversight and accountability.”
The FAA also proposed a $56,000 civil penalty against Spring
City Jet, Inc., of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, after five pilots and an aircraft
mechanic performed safety-sensitive functions at various times between December
2023 and December 2024 without proper follow-up testing.
All three carriers have 30 days to respond to the FAA’s
fines.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
