A pilot was reportedly grounded after failing essential breathalyser tests before take-off. The member of staff at at All Nippon Airways (ANA) fell short of the mandatory health requirements, relating to their consumption of alcohol, prior to accompanying passengers on board. The behaviour of the pilot in particular is said to have come about on the route from Itami to Miyazaki. Reports in The Mainicho claim the pilot was accused of flying while intoxicated.
The publication reported the pilot, who was set to fly the plane from Osaka International Airport, had told how he had drank the pries day.
He is alleged to have insisted he did not drink 12 hours before flying.
Yet after supposedly falling short of the requirements, he was pulled from duty.
This resulted in hoardes of angry passengers after at least five flights were cancelled on 4 January 2019.
ANA, the largest airline in Japan, runs economy flights throughout Japan and Asia.
It is the 15th larges airline internationally in terms of total passenger traffic.
The issue of cabin crew drinking before take off has been raised previously in Japan.
The country’s Transport and Tourism Minister Keiichi Ishii last year announced a crackdown on flight and cabin crews drinking on the job.
It came after a Japan Airlines pilot was arrested after his test result findings showed he was nearly 10 times the legal limit prior to take off at London Heathrow Airport.
Ishii told a press conference: “We will use all possible means to ensure flight safety,” the minister said at the time.
Meanwhile, speaking of the incident, a Japan Airlines spokesperson said: “The Company takes this incident seriously, as safety remains our utmost priority, and will continue to take steps to raise awareness on the effects of alcohol consumption, while implementing key preventive measures.
“For the cabin attendant in question, internal disciplinary measures will be taken by the company. Representative Director/President Yuji Akasaka will take a 20 percent salary reduction and Executive Officer/Cabin Attendants Division Eri Abe will take a 10 percent salary reduction for one month, respectively.
“With this in mind, the Company sincerely apologizes for any inconvenience and undue stress caused to all involved.”
Japan Airlines also pledged to cut the pay of employees involved.
Express online has contacted ANA for comment.
