Samoa Airways has stood down several employees after drug and alcohol testing found positive results among staff. The airline confirmed that 10 percent of those tested returned positive results for illegal substances, prescription medication, or alcohol.
The testing, conducted by the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa, was part of a policy introduced in October 2024. Three employees who tested positive for illicit drugs have been stood down pending a board decision. Six employees with alcohol-related results received warnings and are undergoing retesting.
A pilot who tested positive for a prescribed sleeping pill was also stood down but has since returned a negative result and is cleared to fly.
Samoa Airways said the testing was necessary to ensure operational safety and acknowledged that drug and alcohol use is a wider issue affecting many communities.
The airline, which provides ground services for Air New Zealand, Qantas, and Fiji Airways, said maintaining a drug-free workplace is essential to its operations.
Flight cancellations followed the test results, causing disruptions for passengers. Samoa Airways apologized for the inconvenience but said the measures were necessary to uphold safety standards.
The airline said it would continue to review and enforce policies to ensure compliance.
