Random alcohol and drugs testing

Fraport AG implements the requirements of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). In line with Regulation (EU) No. 139/2014 (ADR.OR.C.045), this includes, in particular, having to enforce regulations relating to persons under the influence of ...

  • alcohol or psychoactive substances or
  • medication that could impair their abilities in a manner that comprises safety.

For this purpose, random testing is carried out at Frankfurt Airport on a regular basis. Anyone testing positive—for whatever substance – will be prohibited from entering the airport premises or, as appropriate, removed from the movement area.

To monitor alcohol consumption, Airport Security uses a breathalyzer manufactured by Dräger, which is also employed by the police on public roads. These checks are carried out at all access points to the movement areas, at both Personnel and Goods Control (PWK) points and access points from the terminal.

They are now supplemented by a test for five psychoactive substances and two prescription drugs, specifically:

  • Amphetamines
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
  • Cocaine
  • Methamphetamines
  • Opiates
  • Methadone
  • Ketamine

If an employee is selected for testing by the random number generator, they will first take the drugs test and then, while this is being analyzed, the alcohol breath test. The whole process can take up to 15 minutes.

The drugs test uses a saliva sample, which the employee takes themselves. They also then place their own test stick into a detector manufactured by Dräger.

An employee testing positive—for whatever substance—will be prohibited from entering the movement areas and have their Airport ID Card revoked. An employee who refuses to take the test will also not be allowed access. After a negative test, the employee will be given a printout of the result, which they can then show to their respective employer as proof that a test has been performed.

In addition to the checks carried out on entering the movement areas, they can also be carried out following serious accidents or damage to aircraft. These tests are also done by Airport Security. Here too, anyone testing positive will have their Airport ID Card revoked and be removed from the movement areas. This also applies to anyone refusing to take a test.

An employee testing positive can ask for the test to be re-run. If a repeat test is negative, the whole test will be deemed to be negative too.

Employees can collect a revoked ID card from Airport Security after waiting 24 hours if they undergo a further test, which has to come out negative.