Southwest Airlines employees continued working after failing drug/alcohol tests

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued an enforcement letter proposing a civil penalty of $304,272 against Southwest Airlines Inc., alleging that the carrier failed to conduct required follow-up drug and alcohol testing for 11 employees who performed safety-sensitive duties. The employees—comprising pilots, flight attendants, and aircraft mechanics—had previously tested positive for substances including marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines.

According to an FAA press release, the violations occurred during multiple intervals spanning August 2021 through July 2024. During those periods, the agency says Southwest allowed the identified workers to continue operating aircraft, servicing planes, or serving passengers without completing the mandatory confirmatory or follow‑up testing required by federal regulations after an initial positive result.

Southwest Airlines has not yet responded to the enforcement letter. The company was given 30 days from receipt of the notice to file a formal response, after which the FAA will decide whether to assess the proposed penalty or pursue further action.

While the proposed fine represents a relatively modest sum compared with the airline’s annual revenue, the reputational impact could be more significant for Southwest, one of the nation’s largest carriers.