Japan Airlines pilot’s drinking delays flights for 18 hours
Some 630 passengers travelling from Hawaii to Japan were affected by the pilot’s alcohol consumption, leading to a government investigation
The captain was scheduled to fly from Honolulu to Chubu Centrair International Airport in central Japan on Thursday, but called in sick on the day of the flight and admitted to drinking alcohol the day before at a hotel, according to the airline.
JAL found an alternative pilot, but the flight, in addition to two others bound for Haneda Airport in Tokyo, were delayed, affecting about 630 passengers in total.
The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism visited the airline’s head office in Tokyo to conduct an investigation on Wednesday.
The latest incident comes after JAL was issued a business improvement order in December, following alcohol-related problems involving the carrier’s employees.
