Final rule combines drug testing requirements for certain air tour operators

Washington – Air carriers that also conduct commercial air tours as well as commuter or on-demand operators that also conduct commercial air tours will now be allowed to use one combined alcohol and drug testing program instead of two, under a final rule from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Air carriers and commuter or on-demand operators are required to establish a drug and alcohol testing program to help ensure workers with safety-sensitive roles are not impaired by drugs or alcohol on the job. A 2007 rule required workers conducting commercial air tours at these carriers to also receive drug and alcohol testing, forcing carriers to complete two sets of testing.

“Combining the two testing programs maintains a level of safety equivalent to that provided by the current regulations,” FAA stated in the final rule.