KM Malta Airlines has said that its crew members had tested negative for alcohol and drugs.
Newsbook had reported that an investigation was launched after two members of the KM Malta Airlines cabin crew were allowed to operate a flight despite failing a drug and alcohol pre-flight spot check before the Malta-Milan-Rome-Malta flight on April 16.
In a statement, KM Malta Airlines has said: “With reference to certain articles that appeared in sections of the media in connection with the random screening for psychoactive substances, KM Malta Airlines would like to clarify that the airline conducted a series of drug and alcohol tests as part of an ongoing program of random testing for operational personnel. These tests were conducted on the 15th April 2025 and 16th April 2025 at the Crew Briefing Room on Level 2 at Malta International Airport, Luqa as the respective crew members arrived at the briefing room and reported for their respective flight duties.”
“Fifteen crew members were tested over the two days. Two of the fifteen tests conducted resulted in a ‘non-negative’. Both crew members tested negative for alcohol and drugs,” it said.
The attending medical practitioner confirmed that the positive result was not of concern and determined the two cabin crew members as being fit to fly, the airline said.
“The incident was reported by KM Malta Airlines to the Civil Aviation Directorate at Transport Malta. As a result, the Civil Aviation Directorate issued a formal finding. KM Malta Airlines subsequently submitted corrective measures, which were accepted by the Civil Aviation Directorate. The finding has since been closed.”
Transport Malta statement
Transport Malta also issued a statement, responding to comments made by the Nationalist Party on Monday about the issue.
“On the incident, Transport Malta’s Civil Aviation Directorate (CAD) conducted an investigation and found that KM Malta Airlines had not fully adhered to internal company procedures and applicable regulatory requirements in relation to the matter. As a result, a formal finding was issued by the CAD concerning shortcomings in the airline’s management system. KM Malta Airlines subsequently submitted corrective measures, as per procedures. It is not Transport Malta CAD’s role to take disciplinary actions taken against the individual crew members involved as this falls within the remit of the airline’s internal controls and management, which in turn answers to within the ministry of finance.”
“To this effect, Transport Malta confirms that it took all necessary and corrective measures according to international standards and condemns any attempt to tarnish Malta’s excellent reputation in the aviation industry.”