An American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) pilot has been arrested in Manchester, United Kingdom, minutes before taking off on February 7, 2019. According to the police, the man was suspected to have consumed alcohol over the prescribed limit.
“Shortly before 11am today, police received a report that an airline pilot may have been under the influence of alcohol at Manchester Airport”, said a spokesperson of the Greater Manchester police, quoted by Manchester Evening News. “Officers attended and a 62-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of performing an aviation function when over the prescribed limit of alcohol”.
The flight AA735 he was supposed to operate on an Airbus A330, from Manchester Airport (MAN) to Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), was canceled. The passengers were rebooked on other flights.
“Safety is our highest priority and we apologize to our customers for the disruption to their travel plans,“ an American Airlines (A1G) (AAL) spokeswoman declared, adding “we are fully cooperating with local law enforcement.” The pilot has been bailed, pending an investigation.
On October 28, 2018, a Japanese Airlines pilot was arrested at London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR), for being close to 10 times over the alcohol limit. Four days before, a morning flight of All Nippon Airways (ANA) had to be canceled because a pilot failed to show up for work after a busy night.