Two members of a flight crew were arrested on suspicion of being over the legal alcohol limit for aviation duties.
MANCHESTER – The incident unfolded at Gate 49 at Manchester Airport on Saturday afternoon, May 2, following the arrival of an inbound flight. Greater Manchester Police were summoned to the scene after the aircraft’s captain raised formal concerns regarding the conduct of his colleagues.
Investigation at the Gate
According to reports, the captain requested police assistance immediately upon docking at the gate. Sources close to the investigation suggest that the captain’s intervention was prompted by observations made during the flight’s descent into Manchester.
Officers met the aircraft and conducted preliminary breath tests on two members of the cabin crew. Both individuals reportedly provided readings that exceeded the strict legal limit prescribed for flight personnel under the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003.
Strict Aviation Limits
In the United Kingdom, the legal alcohol limit for aviation workers is significantly more stringent than the limit for motorists. While the limit for drivers in England is 35 micrograms of alcohol per 100ml of breath, the limit for aircrew is just 9 micrograms.
Current Status
The two staff members, whose identities have not yet been released, were taken into custody for further questioning. They have since been suspended from their duties pending the outcome of the police inquiry and the airline’s disciplinary proceedings.
Passengers on the inbound flight were disembarked as normal, though many expressed shock as they witnessed the police presence and subsequent arrests at the gate. No delays to outbound services were reported as a direct result of the incident, as a replacement crew was drafted to cover the aircraft’s next scheduled leg.
Greater Manchester Police have confirmed that the investigation remains ongoing.
