Singapore
Random blood testing is not conducted in Singapore but the aviation authority has conducted more than 900 ramp inspections since 2013 and not detected any signs of pilot intoxication.
File photo of a Singapore Airlines plane at Changi Airport (Photo: AFP/Roslan Rahman)
SINGAPORE: There has not been any case of pilots consuming alcohol or drugs before boarding aeroplanes in Singapore, based on records from the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), said Senior Minister of State for Transport Lam Pin Min on Tuesday (Oct 2) in Parliament.
In response to a follow-up question from Member of Parliament Ang Wei Neng, Dr Lam said random blood testing is currently not carried out in Singapore. However, there are spot checks specifically performed by CAAS during ramp inspections – and in more than 900 of such inspections conducted since 2013, the authority has not detected any pilot showing signs of alcohol intoxication.
Last month, a Singapore Airlines (SIA) flight out of Melbourne was cancelled after the pilot failed a random alcohol test conducted by Australia’s Civil Aviation Safety Authority. SIA has suspended the pilot and CAAS is investigating the case, which is the first to be reported to the authority in a decade.
READ: Singapore Airlines flight from Melbourne cancelled after pilot failed alcohol test
“Most civil aviation regulators, including CAAS, hold their airlines responsible for ensuring that their pilots do not operate aircraft whilst intoxicated,” said Dr Lam. “Specifically, CAAS requires Singapore carriers to ensure that their pilots do not consume any alcohol at least 8 hours before flight, wherever they operate in the world.”
Flying out of Singapore’s airports under the influence of drugs or alcohol – regardless of whether the pilot is operating a Singapore or foreign registered aircraft – is an offence under the Air Navigation Order. The penalty is up to S$100,000 and/or five years’ imprisonment upon conviction.
READ: Singapore Airlines pilots not allowed to consume alcohol within 10 hours of flight
READ: SIA pilot who failed alcohol test was first reported case in 10 years, says CAAS
Dr Lam also revealed that Singapore carriers have set up peer support groups to identify and manage individuals who may have alcohol-related issues.
“These support groups provide a non-punitive approach for pilots to seek support and treatment,” he said. “Such peer support groups are recognised internationally as an effective measure to identify such pilots at an early stage to rehabilitate them, or to remove them from flying duties where necessary.
“Operating an aircraft while intoxicated is a serious matter. CAAS is reviewing the regulations and procedures to more strongly deter such behaviour,” Dr Lam concluded.
