The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has announced a sweeping crackdown on aviation personnel, declaring that all licensed crew members are now subject to sudden drug and alcohol tests during Ramp inspections.
In partnership with the National Drug Agency (NDA), the CAA will deploy technical teams to carry out surprise checks on pilots, cabin crew, and other licensed staff. The regulation, which came into force in May 2025, mandates uncompromising enforcement to root out any trace of intoxication in the aviation industry.
Officials have warned that any crew member testing positive will face immediate suspension, loss of license, and possible criminal prosecution. The new system ensures that no operational staff can predict when or where they will be tested, making evasion impossible.
Aviation experts caution that even a single violation could endanger hundreds of lives. “One careless mistake under the influence is enough to cause catastrophe” a senior safety officer stated. “This is why there will be no second chances”.
By handing authority to the NDA, the government signals its intent to treat drug and alcohol use among aviation professionals not as misconduct, but as a grave national security threat. Authorities have urged the public to take confidence in the system while warning industry staff: those unfit to serve will be exposed and removed without hesitation.
