FAA proposes fines against companies for violating drug testing regulations

The FAA has proposed fines on Friday against Southwest Airlines and Spring City Jet, Inc. of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, for allegedly violating drug and alcohol testing regulations. It later proposed fines against American Airlines on Wednesday for the same reason. Southwest Airlines supposedly did not conduct all of the required follow-up drug or alcohol testing for 11 employees who had previously tested positive for alcohol or drugs. The listed drugs they tested positive for include marijuana, cocaine and amphetamines. The employees consisted of pilots, flight attendants and aircraft mechanics. They allegedly performed safety-sensitive functions between August 2021 and July 2024 after Southwest did not require them to do any follow-up testing. The FAA proposes a $304,272 civil penalty against the airline.
Spring City Jet reportedly did not ensure that all of it employees took the required drug and alcohol test at all. The employees include five pilots and an aircraft mechanic, all of whom performed safety-sensitive functions at various times between December 2023 and December 2024. The FAA proposes a $56,000 civil penalty against the company.Between May 2019 and December 2023, American Airlines supposedly let 12 flight attendants who tested positive on drug and alcohol tests resume performing safety-sensitive duties. The airline did not require any follow-up testing to be performed. The flight attendants tested positive for substances including alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine. The FAA proposes a a $255,000 civil penalty against the airline.
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All of the companies have 30 days after receiving the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.