US FAA Proposes Fining United Airlines Over Alleged Drug, Alcohol Violations

WASHINGTON, July 16 (Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration said Thursday it is proposing to fine United Airlines $255,000 for allegedly violating U.S. drug and alcohol regulations.

The FAA alleges United allowed a flight attendant to perform safety-sensitive duties on 47 flights between 2024 and 2025 without evaluation of a substance abuse professional, a verified negative return-to-duty drug test or follow-up testing. The agency said United fired the flight attendant in 2021 for refusal to take a drug test and subsequently rehired him.

United declined immediate comment. In April, the FAA proposed fining American Airlines $255,000 and Southwest Airlines $304,000 for violating drug and alcohol regulations.