March 10, 2026 — Washington, D.C. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) proposed a $65,000 civil penalty against Houston-based Avelo Airlines for allegedly failing to include 10 flight attendants and flight crewmembers in its required random drug and alcohol testing pool during various periods from April 2024 to November 2024.
The employees reportedly performed safety-sensitive functions without being subjected to the mandated testing, in violation of Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 120.
The FAA alleges that Avelo failed to include 10 flight attendants and flight crewmembers in its required random drug and alcohol testing pool. During various periods between April 2024 and November 2024, the employees performed safety-sensitive functions when Avelo did not subject them to the required testing.
Avelo has 30 days from receipt of the FAA’s enforcement letter to respond to the allegations.
Details of the Violations
The lapses occurred amid Avelo’s rapid expansion over the past two years, during which the low-cost carrier grew its fleet and crew to more than 1,100 members while maintaining top-tier on-time performance, according to coverage.
Aviation news outlets quickly reported the enforcement action. AirlineGeeks described it as a proposal against the budget carrier for testing failures, while AeroXplorer noted the violations followed the airline’s termination of an ICE deportation flight contract in January 2026 due to operational and financial strains.
Avelo Airlines Context
Avelo, a leisure-focused carrier emphasizing “Blue City” routes, recently announced plans including a new base at McKinney National Airport in October 2026 and integration of the Embraer 195-E2 as the first U.S. operator to lower fuel costs and boost capacity. It has closed bases in Mesa and Raleigh-Durham as part of a “Balance Sheet Transformation.”
Social media coverage included posts from @AirlineGeeks and @aeroxplorer, linking to their articles on the FAA’s proposed penalty.
The FAA lists this among recent enforcement actions to uphold aviation safety standards.
