KM Malta Airlines Under Scrutiny for Using Expired Drug and Alcohol Test Kits

Expired Kits Discovered in Mandatory Testing

KM Malta Airlines, Malta's national carrier, has come under scrutiny following revelations that it utilized expired drug and alcohol test kits for mandatory random screenings of its pilots and cabin crew. Newsbook Malta reported on December 5, 2025, that a photograph showed a test kit, which had expired in June, still being used in November for staff testing. Industry sources described this practice as 'unheard of' and a clear breach of established industry standards, questioning the reliability of the results and their acceptability to European regulatory compliance authorities.

Further concerns were raised regarding the handling of samples, with reports indicating that medical professionals were observed handling samples with bare hands, without the use of disposable gloves, which is a standard medical practice. The mandatory random substance testing for KM Malta Airlines is entirely outsourced to a third-party genetic and non-genetic testing service provider.

Airline's Response and Previous Incidents

In response to the allegations, KM Malta Airlines Executive Chairman, David Curmi, maintained that the kits were still delivering accurate results and reiterated the airline's commitment to safety, stating that 'safety is and will remain at all times a top priority'. He attributed the choice of testing methods and procedures to the airline's service provider.

This incident follows a previous controversy in April 2025, when random drug and alcohol tests were conducted on 15 crew members at Malta International Airport on April 15 and 16. Two of these tests initially returned 'non-negative' results. However, KM Malta Airlines stated that both individuals subsequently tested negative for alcohol and drugs and were deemed fit to fly by an attending medical practitioner.

Regulatory Findings and Industry Reaction

The April 2025 incident was reported to the Civil Aviation Directorate (CAD) within Transport Malta, which subsequently issued a formal finding. Transport Malta confirmed that KM Malta Airlines had failed to adhere to its own internal procedures and relevant regulatory requirements. The airline submitted corrective measures, which were accepted by the CAD, leading to the closure of that specific case.

The handling of these testing procedures has drawn criticism from various quarters:

• The Nationalist Party (PN) described the situation as 'a serious and unacceptable risk to passenger safety' and called for accountability.
• Concerns were also raised that the flight captain was reportedly not informed of the initial 'non-negative' test results before departure in the April incident.
• The Airline Pilots Association (ALPA) initially advised its members against further testing until a policy review was concluded, though this directive was later lifted after receiving assurances from airline management.

Random drug and alcohol testing for flight and cabin crew is a mandate from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), underscoring the importance of strict adherence to these safety protocols.