Flight grounded after both pilots fail alcohol test
A budget airline carrying 109 people was denied permission to take off after both pilots failed an alcohol test.
Passengers on the Air Baltic flight were initially told that the pilot was unwell, despite travellers tipping the police off that they thought the flight crew was tipsy, reports the Daily Mail.
The charter flight was due to fly from Oslo in Norway to Crete, but was delayed for almost five hours while new crew were found.
Tests allegedly found that four of the flight’s five crew members – including both pilots – had blood alcohol levels above 0.2 per cent.
Janis Vanagds, a spokesperson for Air Baltic, said it has a ‘zero tolerance’ policy to staff drinking alcohol.
He added: "According to the currently available information, four out of five crew are under initial suspicion for alcohol abuse, and they are now undergoing a careful medical examination to determine the actual blood alcohol levels.
"Air Baltic has temporarily suspended the involved four crew until the investigation is completed. Air Baltic thanks the Norwegian airport and police authorities for their contribution towards enforcing Air Baltic safety principles."
Diane
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive