Virgin pilot cleared over allegation of drunkenness
Virgin Atlantic has confirmed that the pilot who was questioned by police following an allegation of drunkenness made at Heathrow Airport last month will not be charged.
The airline said a diet being followed by the pilot caused the initial positive reading during a preliminary breath test but later blood tests confirmed that the amount of alcohol in his blood was “the equivalent to that of a non-drinker”.
“The pilot is now free to resume his duties at the airline immediately,” said a Virgin statement.
“Despite media reports, the pilot was never handcuffed at any stage and was never escorted off the plane by police officers.”
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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