BA Aircrew Suspected of Breaking Drink Rules

November 11, 2003

BA Aircrew Suspected of Breaking Drink Rules
The Scotsman, UK


Three British Airways crew, including a pilot, were released by police in
Norway tonight after being arrested on suspicion of being under the
influence of alcohol.

The trio, a pilot, first officer and cabin crew member, were detained at
Oslo airport this morning shortly before boarding a scheduled flight to
the UK, BA said.

They were arrested by airport police after other BA staff alerted them to
an “alleged breach of the airlines rules about alcohol consumption before
duty”.

They were later released while the Norwegian authorities await the results
of blood tests.

If they are in breach, the trio face being tried in Norway or having the
case handed over to the British authorities to be dealt with in the UK, a
spokesman for Gardermoen Police Station at Oslo airport said.

John Langhelle said they had been detained under aviation law on suspicion
of being under the influence of alcohol when about to work on a plane.

The three were released and are free to return home while the blood tests
are carried out, he added.

“Our police lawyers are seeing if the case has to be dealt with here or if
it is possible to hand it over to the English authorities,” said Mr
Langhelle.

“If it is to be dealt with here, the three will have to come back.”

It is understood the trio will return to the UK on flights tomorrow.

They were arrested shortly before boarding BA flight 761 which was due to
leave Oslo for Heathrow at 0545 GMT today.

The flight was cancelled and its 55 passengers were put on alternative
flights run by Scandinavian airlines, a BA spokeswoman said.

In a statement British Airways said: “We have launched a full
investigation into an alleged breach of the airline’s rules on alcohol
consumption before duty involving three crew members in Oslo.

“Norwegian police were alerted to this alleged breach by British Airways
staff.

“It is a disciplinary offence for an employee to report for work impaired
by alcohol. It is deemed to be gross misconduct which can result in
dismissal. We have a zero tolerance policy for any alleged abuse of our
rules.”

British Airways’ rules state air personnel should only drink alcohol in
moderation in the 24 hours before going on duty and should have none in
the final eight hours.

Crew members must have no residual alcohol in their bloodstream when
reporting for duty, the rules say.

The spokeswoman said a report, as a matter of course, would be submitted
to the Civil Aviation Authority. Its rules state that air crew cannot be
on a plane or on duty when drunk or under the influence of drugs.

The Railways and Transport Safety Act passed earlier this year has set an
alcohol limit for air crews at 20 milligrams in 100 millilitres of blood –
a quarter of the drink drive limit.

A date is still to be set for the when the limit will be introduced.


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