The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore will introduce random alcohol testing for pilots from this weekend.
The updated Airport Alcohol Testing Programme will randomly select pilots on a daily basis for testing using a portable breathalyzer administered by a qualified testing officer.
If positive a second test will be carried out using a forensic-standard breathalyzer, CAAS said.
Pilots with more than 0.02 grams per 210 litres of breath will be immediately removed from duty.
"This limit has been determined based on international best practices. It is equivalent to a ‘zero tolerance’ standard, with a small allowance for the potential presence of alcohol in the breath due to other factors such as medication or mouthwash," the regulator said.
As well as random testing, all Singapore registered airlines must adhere to the new Airline Alcohol Management Programme (AAMP), which is a mechanism to manage and rehabilitate pilots and other workers with alcohol problems.
The rules were revamped after a Singapore Airlines pilot failed an alcohol test in Australia last year which forced the cancelation of a Melbourne-Wellington flight.
The pilot was later dismissed.
Under Singapore’s Air Navigation Act, pilots caught under the influence of alcohol can face two years prison and a maximum fine of S$50,000 for a first offence
Currently, pilots at Singapore Airlines group airlines includinf Silkair and Scoot, and Jetstar Asia must have a 10-hour gap of sobriety between ‘bottle and throttle.’
