Samoa Airways cancelled flights Wednesday this week following the positive results for illegal substances and alcohol in 10 percent of tested staff.
Samoa Observer reports the national carrier had to charter Talofa Airways at a cost of $30,000 tālā to accommodate confirmed passengers travelling to and from American Samoa on the day.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Fauoo Fatu Tielu confirmed three staff tested positive for illicit drugs namely methamphetamine, amphetamine and cannabis.
Fauo’o could not give a breakdown of the designations of the affected staff, but confirmed they were stationed at the airport and had been suspended pending a final decision from the board.
He said the results impacted the Wednesday flights, that is Tuesday in American Samoa, which they were forced to cancel.
According to the CEO, a single pilot returned a positive result for using a prescribed drug or sleeping pills and had to be grounded while follow-up tests were done to verify the drug type.
He did not clarify what the pilot’s test results were, but he said the results did not take him by surprise, noting the drug problem in the country that has spread amongst the community. Adding he was glad that the airline did the drug testing program.
Fauo’o added that the staff who tested positive admitted to taking the drugs when they were under investigation.
Samoa Airways has 180 staff, including those in American Samoa.
In October last year, the national carrier approved a comprehensive drug and alcohol testing policy for all staff members, a step towards enhancing the safety and well-being of passengers and employees.
