Dubai flight delayed as pilot was drunk
If the pilot is found positive of alcohol then he is not allowed to fly the plane and the airline makes alternate arrangements.
Mangaluru: The first officer scheduled to fly the Mangaluru- Dubai flight of a private airlines was denied permission after he tested positive for alcohol. The flight, carrying 180 passengers ,was scheduled to leave Mangaluru International Airport at 12.15 am on Wednesday. However, it could leave only at 5 am.
As per rules, a pilot has to undergo strict medical checkup. If the pilot is found positive of alcohol then he is not allowed to fly the plane and the airline makes alternate arrangements. Turkey based Corendon Airlines First Officer Sebahat Ulku Erk was scheduled to operate the SpiceJet flight SG-059 (wet lease aircraft) from M’luru International Airport to Dubai. “The first officer failed to meet the stringent SpiceJet safety standards and tested positive during pre-flight medical check for alcohol," SpiceJet officials said. "He was not permitted to operate the flight. He has been suspended and sent back to his country," they added.
According to sources after Sebahat was denied permission to operate the flight, the airlines had to schedule another pilot. The alternate pilot arrived, the flight could not takeoff from the airport due to NOTAM (during which no flight can land or take off). NOTAM was in force from 12.15 am to 4.14 am and so was rescheduled.