Drunk co-pilot jailed after binge drinking with crew
A co-pilot has been jailed for six months after he attempted to fly a passenger jet while he was almost seven times over the legal drink-fly limit.
The 38-year-old admitted that he drank two bottles of whisky and some beers with other crew members before he was due to fly a plane filled with 100 passengers to Greece on August 8.
He was stopped when police breathalysed him after receiving an anonymous tip-off shortly before the flight.
The 50-year-old pilot was also found to be more than double the legal limit, but he has rejected some of the charges against him, according to The Guardian. He will appear in court on September 17 and is being held in custody in the meantime.
Two flight attendants also tested positive for alcohol.
AirBaltic said it had begun dismissal procedures against the crew, who were due to fly to Greece from Oslo airport.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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