Low-cost airline flydubai is dealing with a major issue after one of the carrier’s pilots was discovered to be drunk Tuesday, causing a 10-hour flight delay.
According to the Khaleej Times, flydubai Flight FZ8018 was preparing to depart from Kathmandu, Nepal, to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, when the co-pilot told officials that he suspected his colleague was under the influence of alcohol.
The pilot was removed from the plane and his blood-alcohol level was tested, with authorities finding the employee was above the legally acceptable level. The pilot was deemed unfit to fly and the flight was delayed for 10 hours while the airline found another pilot.
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Officials from flydubai apologized for the delay and stressed the airline has a zero-tolerance policy for alcohol consumption by crew members. The airline revealed any employee suspected of consuming alcohol prior to flight duty must be tested.
“We apologize for the delay to their travel plans but the safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority,” a flydubai spokesperson told the Khaleej Times.
The carrier did not reveal if the pilot would face any punishment for the incident.
