A plane of Việt Nam Airlines.—VNA/VNS Photo Lê Lâm

HÀ NỘI — A Việt Nam Airlines pilot who was found to be positive for a banned substance in late April is facing a dismissal, according to the airline.

The carrier on Wednesday reported to the Civil Aviation Authority of Việt Nam (CAAV) about the results of its coordination with the Aviation Medical Centre to clarify the case of its pilot whose sample tested positive for a banned substance in late April.

An official spokesman for this incident from Việt Nam Airlines Đặng Anh Tuấn announced that, based on the results reported to the CAAV, the airline would implement procedures to review and deal with the pilot according to regulations.

The pilot would face the maximum disciplinary action of being fired.

Tuấn affirmed that the safety of operations, and the health and safety of passengers and employees of the airline was always its most important goal.

Therefore, the carrier always actively inspected and reviewed to detect and promptly handle cases of violations of rules and regulations in this field.

Accordingly, the health checks for pilots were conducted periodically and irregularly. All violations would be strictly handled.

The pilot on April 25 initially refused a pre-flight drug test with his flight crew. He was then taken to a testing services facility in Hà Nội’s Long Biên District and had samples taken for rapid urine drug testing.

The results showed that he tested positive for ketamine, a synthetic drug.

A leader of the Civil Aviation Administration told Tuổi trẻ (Youth) online newspaper if a pilot is found to use drugs, he or she would be disciplined according to the provisions of Circular No. 46/2013 of the Minister of Transport on specific labour discipline for aviation employees.

Accordingly, airline employees, who use or have positive results for drugs or stimulants that are not allowed to use, would not be allowed to work as aviation staff in any business operating in the civil aviation industry.

Thus, the pilot, who used drugs, would be revoked of his pilot's licence forever, he said. — VNS