Pilot found drunk in cockpit
A pilot has been charged after he was allegedly found passed out in the cockpit shortly before takeoff.
Miroslav Gronych, aged 37, was subsequently tested for excess alcohol.
Canadian police said The Sunwing Airlines’ pilot had three times the legal limit of alcohol in his body.
Crew members reportedly said he was behaving erratically when he boarded the plane at Calgary International Airport.
The flight was due to travel to Regina and Winnipeg before continuing to Cancun, Mexico.
Police charged Gronych with having care and control of an aircraft while impaired and having care and control of an aircraft with a blood alcohol level over .08.
“It had all the potential for a disaster but I’ll tell you this much – the likelihood of a pilot on a major airline like this actually being able to take off when they’re impaired like that is pretty slim, because there’s a lot of checks and balances, ” said Sgt. Paul Stacey, of Calgary police.
The flight departed with a replacement pilot without further incident.
“We are very apologetic for any upset that this has caused and would like to assure our customers that safety remains our utmost priority,” said Sunwing spokeswoman Jacqueline Grossman.
The airline is ‘appreciative of our crew’s diligence in handling this very unfortunate matter,’ she added.
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
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 
Airbnb eyes a loyalty program but details remain under wraps
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026