BA pilot tests positive for alcohol

A British Airways pilot faces the sack and possible charges under Swedish aviation law after he was found to have alcohol in his blood just before he was due to take off from Stockholm for London.

The pilot was about to fly 79 passengers from Arlanda Airport, near Stockholm, at 8.35am yesterday when he was breathalysed by police. He was found to have an alcohol reading equivalent to the reading of someone who has just drunk two beers.

A British Airways spokeswoman said that the pilot, who had not been named, but who was reported to be in his 50s and from the London area, had been removed from flying duties, pending an investigation.

"We are extremely concerned to hear of this alleged incident," the spokeswoman said, adding that BA had "very strict rules governing the use of alcohol" which amounted to a "zero tolerance" policy.

"It's a disciplinary offence for an employee to report for work impaired by alcohol and it is deemed to be gross misconduct, which can result in dismissal," she said. The pilot has been flown back to the UK, where he is "helping" with the investigation.

The flight was delayed for three hours and passengers were told there were "technical difficulties crewing the plane".

BA denied reports that the pilot had been about to fly the plane and that he was removed from the cockpit.

International regulations prohibit pilots and flight attendants from flying within eight hours of consuming alcohol.