Alcohol tests in the Airport

Seit Sommer 2000 gibt es in den Niederlanden ein neues Gesetz, das ein sogenanntes "random-alcohol-testing" zuläßt. Die Tests werden seit Anfang November regelmäßig durchgefüht und zwar auch bei ausländischen crews. Die crew hat dabei praktisch keine Rechte. In einem Fall wurde eine crew vor ihren Fluggästen getestet. Wer sich weigert, macht sich strafbar. Die Pilotenverbände lehnen das kategorisch ab und haben Protestschreiben an die Regierung der Niederlande geschickt. Auf politischem Weg soll erreicht werden, daß Tests, wenn sie nicht komplett verhindert werden können, nur für inländische crews (wie in USA) gelten, strengsten Formvorschriften unterliegen und den Betroffenen ausreichen Rechtsschutz gewähren (auch das ist in USA der Fall). Im Folgenden das offizielle Schreiben des niederländischen Verkehrsministers, das über die wichtigsten Punkte informiert.

Alcohol tests in the Airport

Openbaar Ministerie

College van procureurs-generaal

parket-generaal - bureau verkeershandhaving

Postadres: Postbus 15, 3769 ZG Soesterberg Bezoekadres:

Rademakerstraat 22b

3769 BD Soesterberg

Telefoon (0346) 33 33 10

Fax (0346) 33 33 20

E-mail r.putman@fdro.drp.minjus.nl

Onderdeel Bureau Verkeershandhaving Openbaar Ministerie

Contactpersoon R.H.W.A. Putman

Doorkiesnummer(s) 0346?333310

Datum 10 november 2000

Onderwerp Alcoholcontroles in de luchtvaart

Dear Sir / Mrs.

The aviation police have recently performed the first breathalyzer tests on crewmembers from different airlines at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. In the interest of air safety such checks will be frequently executed on the different Dutch airports in future. This letter is intended to inform you (further) on Dutch Law and regulations on this subject and the procedures that will be followed by the aviation police in the performance of their duty.

Laws and regulations

On the 1st July 1999 the new Aviation Law (Wet Luchtvaart) came into force in which the relevant alcohol legislation is incorporated. This law applies to all persons involved in air traffic in the Netherlands (Amsterdam FIR), Dutch airlines abroad and traffic control. The law does not differentiate between commercial air traffic and private aviators.

The relevant prohibitive regulations are:

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It is forbidden for a member of the crew to perform any activities on board of an aircraft with an alcohol level in their blood exceeding 0.2 ‰ or in their breath of 90 ug /L.

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It is forbidden for a member of the crew to perform any activities on board of an aircraft if he has consumed alcohol during a period of 10 hours preceding such an activity.

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It is forbidden for a member of the crew to perform any activities on board of an aircraft whilst under influence of a substance (i.e. medicine, drugs) that inhibits his ability to perform his duties properly.

Because the Law speaks of "performance of any activities" the pre?flight preparation phase is included in the prohibition.

The aviation police will be performing breathalyser tests at random on all crew members in the flight centre as well as on board of the aircraft. The procedure will be as follows:

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When requested by the aviation police crew members are required to comply and co?operate in the execution of a preliminary breathalyser test. As much as possible these tests will be performed out of view of the general public.

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This preliminary test is just a pre?selection device. The machine will show a letter indicating the absence of alcohol or the presence of it and will give a rough indication of the amount of alcohol involved. If alcohol is detected, the person involved will be arrested and escorted to the nearest police station for a breathalyser test that will show the exact amount of alcohol present.

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If the alcohol level exceeds the limit of 90 µg/L (0.2 ‰) a police report will be filed of the incident. If the test results in a level between 260 µg/L (0.6 ‰) and 434 µg/L (1.0 ‰) the licence can be demanded and ? depending on earlier convictions ? be retained. If the alcohol level exceeds the limit of 434 µg/L (1.0 ‰) the flight certificate will be demanded and retained. A request to have the licence returned can be directed to the local public prosecutors office. · If the alcohol level exceeds the limit of 90 µg/L (0.2 ‰) the police is entitled to stipulate a no?flying time lasting up to 24 hours, depending on the alcohol level involved.

With this short summary of the law, regulations and procedure we hope to have given you a better insight into this subject. If you require more information or have questions concerning this matter, you are very welcome to contact the Bureau Verkeershandhaving Openbaar Ministerie.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. J. Spee

Hoofd Bureau Verkeershandhaving Openbaar Ministerie