FAA Proposes Drug and Alcohol Testing for Non-US Aircraft Mechanics

The FAA has suggested that workers at foreign aircraft repair shops be subject to mandatory drug and alcohol testing; Congress and labour unions have long supported this idea.

The FAA announced on Wednesday that approximately 1,000 repair shops across 65 countries would be impacted by its proposal. As per a notice scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Thursday, shops located in nations where mandatory testing is illegal may request for an exemption.

Unions that advocate for American aircraft mechanics have long pushed for increased oversight of foreign shops, citing concerns about both safety and job security in the United States. Congress ordered the FAA to draft testing guidelines pertaining to overseas retailers in 2012.

On Thursday, the FAA will publish its proposed rule in the Federal Register, giving the public 60 days to comment.

For roughly 30 years, drug and alcohol testing has been mandated in U.S. aircraft maintenance facilities. Foreign repair facilities servicing US aircraft would have a year to set up testing programmes and electronically transmit results to the Transportation Department of the United States if the FAA proposal is approved.

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