FAA Proposes $65,000 Fine Against Avelo Airlines for Drug and Alcohol Testing Violations
Summary
The FAA is proposing a $65,000 civil penalty against Avelo Airlines for alleged violations of drug and alcohol testing regulations. The airline is accused of failing to include 10 flight attendants and crewmembers in its required testing pools.
What changed
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has proposed a $65,000 civil penalty against Avelo Airlines for allegedly failing to include 10 flight attendants and crewmembers in its mandatory random drug and alcohol testing pools between April and November 2024. This action stems from the airline's failure to subject these safety-sensitive employees to the required testing during that period.
Avelo Airlines has 30 days from receipt of the FAA's enforcement letter to respond. Failure to comply with drug and alcohol testing regulations can result in significant civil penalties and impact an airline's operational authority. This enforcement action highlights the importance of robust compliance programs for aviation employers regarding employee testing.
What to do next
- Review Avelo Airlines' response to the FAA's enforcement letter.
- Ensure all flight crew and safety-sensitive personnel are included in random drug and alcohol testing pools.
- Verify compliance with all FAA drug and alcohol testing regulations.
Penalties
$65,000 civil penalty
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FAA Proposes $65,000 in Fines Against Avelo Airlines for Alleged Drug and Alcohol Testing Violations
Tuesday, March 10, 2026 WASHINGTON — The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposes a $65,000 civil penalty against Avelo Airlines of Houston, Texas, for allegedly violating drug and alcohol testing regulations.
The FAA alleges that Avelo failed to include 10 flight attendants and flight crewmembers in its required random drug and alcohol testing pool. During various periods between April 2024 and November 2024, the employees performed safety-sensitive functions when Avelo did not subject them to the required testing.
Avelo has 30 days after receiving the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the agency.
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