Skymark Airlines raided by officials after pilot failed alcohol test
Japan transport ministry officials conducted an on-site inspection of Skymark Airlines, after one of its pilots tested positive for excess alcohol last month.
It is the third Japanese airline to be inspected following several breathalyser test failures in recent weeks, which have put the industry’s drinking culture in the spotlight.
All Nippon Airways and JAL have also been raided after flight delays caused by over-the-limit pilots reporting for duty.
A JAL pilot was jailed last week in the UK for being nearly 10 times over the legal limit.
The Skymark pilot’s failed test also caused a delay to a flight at Tokyo Haneda Airport on November 14.
Skymark said the pilot consumed 3.5 litres of beer the night before.
The ministry is cracking down and will convene a meeting with executives from 25 domestic airlines on Wednesday to discuss preventative measures.
The government is also mulling new rules to extend the time a pilot is not allowed to consume alcohol before a flight.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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