Malaysia Airlines pilot detained in Jakarta was not flying aircraft, says Malaysia Aviation Group

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 — Malaysia Aviation Group (MAG) has clarified that the Malaysia Airlines pilot detained in a recent incident was not operating the aircraft, saying flight safety was not compromised.

MAG said the individual was a second officer travelling in the cockpit jump seat as an observer and was not the pilot flying the aircraft.

The group said the individual had also been off duty for two days before the incident, adding that the aircraft was operated safely at all times by two qualified operating pilots.

“MAG views the actions of the individual as completely unacceptable and contrary to the professional standards expected of its personnel,” the group said in a statement today.

MAG president and group chief executive officer Captain Nasaruddin A Bakar said operational safety and crew fitness for duty remained non-negotiable at the group.

“We take any breach of our safety standards seriously and have acted swiftly to enhance mandatory drug screening across our active pilots.

“While this isolated incident does not reflect the professionalism of the overwhelming majority of our employees, we will continue strengthening our safeguards to maintain the confidence of our passengers and stakeholders,” he said.

MAG said it had commenced the first phase of mandatory drug screening for all pilots across its airlines, beginning with all 1,260 Malaysia Airlines pilots.

The screening is expected to be completed by August 15, with pilots who fail to complete it by the stipulated date barred from operating flights until they are cleared in accordance with MAG’s procedures and regulatory requirements.

The group said it would also implement mandatory drug screening for all active pilots, complementing its existing random testing programme, before expanding the measure to active cabin crew.

MAG said the enhanced measures build on its existing fitness-for-duty framework, which includes pre-employment screening, Class 1 medical certification for pilots, recurrent training, periodic alcohol and drug testing, and mandatory pre-flight compliance checks covering licences, medical certification, training and recency requirements.

Before every flight, operating pilots also complete the IMSAFER assessment to evaluate each other’s physical and mental readiness for duty, complemented by Threat and Error Management (TEM) principles to identify and manage operational risks.

MAG said it would continue working closely with aviation, enforcement and regulatory authorities to implement recommendations, strengthen preventive measures and ensure compliance with applicable regulatory requirements across its operations and the wider aviation ecosystem.