Indonesia Wants to Change Drug Tests for Pilots

Jakarta Globe, February 13, 2012      

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Indonesian authorities want pilots to be tested for drugs just a few hours or days before they fly aircraft.

Lion Air (JG Photo/Afriadi Hikmal) 

Minister of Transportation Evert Ernest Mangindaan said the current routine of testing them every six months may not be effective. He said the time span would enable drug users to prepare themselves to pass examination.

The ministry is revising regulations for the airline industry.

Mangindaan was speaking Monday in Surabaya, where a pilot with private Lion Air was arrested this month by an anti-drug agency. Authorities said the pilot had a small amount of crystal methamphetamine.

Lion Air has signed the biggest order ever from Boeing — 230 planes with a list price of $21.7 billion last year.

Associated Press