NEWS FLASH
From January 1, 2026, Serbia is set to become one of the first countries in the region to commence systematic alcohol testing of flight and cabin crew, the Serbian Civil Aviation Directorate has announced. It added that the measure further aligns Serbia’s aviation oversight framework with European Union safety standards, ensuring full compatibility with the EASA oversight system. By implementing measures already applied across a number of EU member states, Serbia is continuing to standardise its aviation safety regime in line with EU best practices, the regulator noted.
Testing will be carried out on flight and cabin crew of both domestic and foreign aircraft and carriers operating at airports in Serbia. The checks will be conducted by specially trained and authorised aviation inspectors of the Directorate. “Pursuant to Article 193, paragraph 1 of the Law on Air Transport, a zero-tolerance policy applies to the presence of alcohol among aircraft crew members. Certified and calibrated breath-alcohol testing devices, which have evidentiary value in judicial proceedings, will be used to measure alcohol levels. In cases where a flight or cabin crew member refuses to undergo testing or where the test confirms the presence of alcohol, the aviation inspector will temporarily prohibit the individual from performing crew duties and will notify the competent authorities accordingly”, the Directorate said. It added, “Based on data available to EASA, it has been determined that the Republic of Serbia is among the first countries in the region to begin implementing alcohol testing for aircraft crew, thereby further enhancing safety levels and alignment with European aviation standards”.
Finnaly!
ReplyDeleteWhat do you mean *finally^? It hardly exist in any G20 countries. This a great development for everyone's safety and happy to see Serbia stepping up before those that claim to be well advertised and developed countries.
Delete11:11 What are you on about? There are random alcohol checks during SAFA inspections in all Western countries.
DeleteThere's no point explaining things to someone who is convinced in their own reality.
DeleteIn China crew must blow in breathilizer in order for the doors to open. In India at crew briefing rooms they test you. So i really dont understand peoplw saying its something new...
DeleteIn which countries is this already a practice?
ReplyDeleteI can only confirm that in FAA and EASA controlled countries, this has been a practice for 10+ years.
DeleteLong overdue in aviation generally. But it’s never too late for a step in right direction
ReplyDeleteLOL
ReplyDeleteOMG!!! Inspectors???!!! Standard procedure in many countries and many companies: breathanalyzer device(s) hang on the wall in operations/dispatch/briefing room. Crew member checks in for flight, puts its code into device, face ID by device follows, then you breath in. Green light- you go for your flight. Red light- that one I will not even mention as possibility
ReplyDeleteHopefylly they don't start with passangers:)
ReplyDeletenadajmo se
DeleteEvery cockpit has an axe for that reason (:
DeleteSuch an anachronism, Mr Gorbachev would have been so proud of this...
ReplyDeleteWhat?
DeleteIll never forget flying JAT to Rome from Belgrade and the pilots opened cockpit door whilst in J class yelled out daj mi pivo.. i completely freaked ... then again life in the balkans. gone are the balkan days JAT pilots would have a few drinks, smoke cigarettes in the cockpit and have a balkan time.
ReplyDeleteThere is something in the aviation called "after landing drink". The drinks are taken from catering trolleys and the crew have de-briefing combined with small talk and simply socialize after the day's duty and before going home. It helps in stress relief, and some companies have it as standard procedure, Transavia Holland for example. So, no maybe the beer was to be taken for after landing drink. Another company, Air France, has for years been allowing their crew, both flight and cabin, to have glass of wine with their crew meal. And it was official. But it was against the rules and standards in JAT. And I've worked in JAT almost six years, and never ever I saw or heard the thing you write about and in my opinion it's highly unlikely that even happened. And your Balkan time prejudice will remain the prejudice because JAT was the company that operated to 80 destinations on 5 continents and not only within Balkans.
DeleteDon't write rubbish - Air France is not allowing its pilots to drink wine with their meal!! It is not allowed to drink 8 hours before the flight, that's international legislation.
DeleteI do not write rubbish. Air France crews used to be allowed to have little wine with their meals. I don't know if it's still the case, but it was allowed, normal, it's the fact and every single soul in aviation knows it. Actually it was not only Air France, it was other French companies as well, UTA for example. And I never wrote they were allowed to drink before the flight and to come to work intoxicated because yes, that's the legislation. I was talking the French culture which includes glass of wine with the meal, which once again, was the case and was allowed. No matter how much you call it rubbish.
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