ROMATSA employee found drugged on duty at Cluj Airport
A ROMATSA employee was discovered drugged at Cluj Airport on May 25, 2026, prompting an investigation and suspension. The incident raised concerns about operational safety, though ROMATSA reported no major danger.
A ROMATSA employee was found drugged while on duty at Cluj Airport around May 25, 2026. The employee worked in critical CNS services—communications, navigation, and surveillance—and was suspended immediately. ROMATSA identified the suspicion on May 25, informed competent authorities, and formed a preliminary investigation committee.
Specific drug tests were ordered for the employee, who now faces suspension from duty and loss of access to all ROMATSA locations. The employee remains under investigation. ROMATSA stated the employee did not directly control aircraft and did not issue take-off or landing authorizations.
The national air navigation service provider denied claims of cover-up, political influence, favoritism, or nepotism. ROMATSA stated the situation created no major danger, citing redundant systems, permanent monitoring, and service continuity procedures within CNS operations. The company found no effects on operational safety to date and committed to full cooperation with authorities.
CNS services are necessary for safe and efficient air traffic operations. The systems use redundancy to prevent any single point of failure from compromising safety. ROMATSA emphasized that permanent monitoring ensures continuity even when individual employees are removed from duty.
The incident follows a September event at Cluj Airport where a ROMATSA air traffic controller fell asleep on duty. A Wizz Air plane carrying hundreds of passengers was blocked in the air for tens of minutes. The ROMATSA Cluj Director resigned after that incident.
The drugging incident prompts questions about oversight and employee fitness in critical aviation roles. The investigation will examine how the drugging occurred and what measures can prevent similar incidents. The preliminary investigation committee's findings will determine whether additional safety protocols are required.
ROMATSA's swift response demonstrates adherence to safety protocols, but the occurrence itself indicates potential vulnerabilities. The employee's suspension and loss of access to all ROMATSA locations took effect immediately after the May 25 identification. Authorities were informed the same day.
The aviation industry relies on passenger trust in safety systems. Two incidents at Cluj Airport within nine months—one involving a sleeping controller, now one involving a drugged employee—test that trust. The September incident resulted in a director's resignation.
The current investigation will determine whether institutional changes are needed beyond individual suspensions. ROMATSA stated that redundant systems and permanent monitoring prevented operational safety effects from the May 25 incident. The employee worked in CNS services but did not have direct aircraft control responsibilities.
Take-off and landing authorizations were not part of the employee's duties. The preliminary investigation committee formed on May 25 continues its work. ROMATSA committed to full cooperation with competent authorities.
The company denied any cover-up or political influence in handling the incident. Specific drug tests were ordered as part of the investigation protocol. The employee's access to all ROMATSA locations was suspended pending investigation results.
The suspension applies to Cluj Airport and all other ROMATSA facilities. The employee remains under investigation with no timeline announced for the inquiry's completion. ROMATSA emphasized that service continuity procedures ensured no disruption to air traffic operations on May 25.
The CNS services maintained full functionality through redundant systems. Permanent monitoring detected no safety lapses during the period the employee was on duty. The September incident at Cluj Airport involved direct air traffic control, with a controller falling asleep while a Wizz Air plane awaited clearance.
Hundreds of passengers were blocked in the air for tens of minutes. The ROMATSA Cluj Director resigned in response. The May 25 incident involved CNS services rather than direct air traffic control.
The employee did not issue take-off or landing authorizations. ROMATSA stated the employee did not directly control aircraft, distinguishing this case from the September sleeping controller incident. Competent authorities received notification on May 25, the same day ROMATSA identified the suspicion.
The preliminary investigation committee began work immediately. Specific drug tests were ordered as the first step in the investigation protocol. ROMATSA found no effects on operational safety to date.
The company stated the situation created no major danger, citing redundant systems and permanent monitoring. Service continuity procedures ensured uninterrupted CNS operations throughout the incident. The employee's suspension from duty took effect immediately.
Access to all ROMATSA locations was revoked. The investigation continues with ROMATSA's full cooperation with authorities.
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