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
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