FAA Proposes Fine for Avelo Over Drug Testing

Some crew members were not included in random testing pools, regulators said.

Zach Vasile

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 02:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

An Avelo Boeing 737 aircraft. (Photo: Avelo Airlines)

Key Takeaways:

The FAA has proposed a $65,000 civil penalty against Avelo Airlines for allegedly violating drug and alcohol testing regulations.
Avelo reportedly failed to include 10 flight attendants and crew members, who performed safety-sensitive functions, in its required random drug and alcohol testing pool between April and November 2024.
FAA regulations mandate random, unannounced drug and alcohol testing for all safety-sensitive employees, including pilots and flight attendants.

See a mistake? Contact us.

The FAA on Tuesday proposed a civil penalty against budget carrier Avelo for allegedly violating drug and alcohol testing regulations.

According to the agency, Avelo failed to include 10 flight attendants and crew members in its required random drug and alcohol testing pool. The employees “performed safety-sensitive functions” between April 2024 and November 2024, the FAA said, and should have been subject to screening.

Regulators plan to impose a fine of $65,000. Avelo has 30 days after receiving the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond.

According to FAA rules, airlines must carry out random, unannounced drug and alcohol testing for “safety-sensitive employees.” That category includes not just pilots and flight attendants but all workers who perform safety-related functions.