The Mexican Communications and Transportation Ministry said Tuesday that it had beefed up drug and health tests for air transport staff ahead of summer vacations.

The testing program, organized by the General Directorate for Protection and Preventative Medicine, was carried out at the airports of Acapulco, Cancun, Guadalajara, Hermosillo, Mexico City and Monterrey, a ministry spokesman said.

"The goal is to avoid any possible accidents," he said.

Since the program began last Wednesday, 150 people had been tested a day for a list of drugs, including alcohol, which could interfere with performance, the spokesman said.

He added that airport staff who received the tests included pilots, air crew, air traffic controllers, weather forecasters and drivers of approved airport taxis.

Their blood pressure, reflexes and general health were also examined, the spokesman said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 15, 2009)