Thomson Airways pilot, 51, about to fly hundreds of passengers from Birmingham is suspended on suspicion of being over the alcohol limit

The pilot, 51, was detained by police at Birmingham Airport on February 10
Police are not taking further action but his employer is still investigating

PUBLISHED: 06:31 EST, 5 March 2013 | UPDATED: 07:47 EST, 5 March 2013

A pilot, who was about to fly a plane with hundreds of passengers on board, has been suspended by his employer after he was suspected of being over the legal alcohol limit.

The 51-year-old man, who works for holiday airline Thomson Airways, was stopped and detained by West Midlands Police at Birmingham Airport on Sunday February 10 just minutes before he boarded the plane.

Although the pilot has since been told he will face no further police action, Thomson is carrying out its own investigation into the incident.

A 51-year-old pilot employed by Thomson Airways has been suspended on suspicion of being over the legal alcohol limit after he was arrested on February 10

Unfit for duty: A 51-year-old pilot employed by Thomson Airways has been suspended on suspicion of being over the legal alcohol limit after he was arrested on February 10

A spokeswoman for the airline said: ‘Thomson Airways is aware that allegations of an aviation offence brought against one of our pilots have been dropped.

‘However, we are continuing to conduct an internal investigation into the situation and the pilot in question has been suspended.

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‘We are not able to comment further until our investigations are complete.’

The pilot, who has not been named, was initially released on bail pending further inquiries after being arrested inside the airport on suspicion of being unfit to perform aviation duties due to drink.

A West Midlands Police spokesman confirmed: 'A 51-year old man was arrested on suspicion of being unfit to perform aviation duties due to drink.'

While the pilot will face no further police action, Thomson Airways is carrying out its own investigation into the incident after he was arrested at Birmingham Airport (pictured)

Airline's investigation: While the pilot will face no further police action, Thomson Airways is carrying out its own investigation into the incident after he was arrested at Birmingham Airport (pictured)

It was not known where in the airport the pilot was arrested or whether it was the result of a tip-off or a random check.

All pilots and cabin crew operating in the UK are governed by the aviation section of the Railways and Transport Act 2003.

Drunk on duty: Air stewardess Stephanie Partington admitted being unable to perform her duties due to drink on a flight from Dubai to Birmingham last year

Under the legislation, they must abide by much tighter alcohol intake restrictions than those imposed on car drivers.

The limits are 9mg of alcohol in 100mL of breath - for driving it is 35 - and 20mg of alcohol in 100mL of blood, against 80 in driving.

Thomson is one of the biggest operators flying out of Birmingham, with at least six flights a day to destinations around the world.

It transports passengers to holiday hotspots in Spain, Greece, America, the Caribbean and Mexico.

The pilot was arrested less than six months after an Emirates stewardess on a flight from Dubai to Birmingham was sacked for being drunk on duty.

Stephanie Partington, aged 24 and from Liverpool, admitted being unable to perform her duties due to drink when she appeared at Solihull Magistrates’ Court last September.

She was fined £110, with £85 costs, and the court heard she had been dismissed by the airline.

The 24-year-old was so loud as she served passengers at the back of the 300-seat Boeing 777 that the purser had to ask her to 'quieten down'.

Suspicions were raised further when routine paperwork she filled out at the end of the seven-hour flight from Dubai to Birmingham was illegible.

In February drunk airline pilot Radu Cristea, 38, allegedly tested positive for alcohol as he carried out pre-flight checks on his Bucharest-bound Airbus plane from London Heathrow.

Police swooped on him just half an hour before he was due to take off on the three-hour flight at 7am and state-run Romanian airline Tarom was forced to cancel the flight, with 33 passengers on board, Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court in Middlesex heard.

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Not surprised! I thought it was a known fact that the majority of pilots were alcoholics!!!! They keep Betty Ford in business! - donnalou , Berkshire, 05/3/2013 13:28**********Just where did you come up with this gem of wisdom? After 25 years in the airline industry and knowing hundreds of Pilots (and one myself), I can honestly say, I do not know a single alcoholic among them. Further, the majority I know are even less than "casual drinkers".

- Patrick , Belfast, 05/3/2013 15:58

Click to rate Rating 67

Not surprised! I thought it was a known fact that the majority of pilots were alcoholics!!!! They keep Betty Ford in business! - donnalou, Berkshire, 05/03/2013 13:28 Idiot post !!!

- billywhizz18 , Bedford, 05/3/2013 15:55

Click to rate Rating 38

I believe this happens more times than we can imagine,? I personally think every pilot should be breath tested before every flight.! - wellinever, Bristol, United Kingdom, 05/03/2013 13:30 Why?? Most pilots are professional !!!

- billywhizz18 , Bedford, 05/3/2013 15:54

Click to rate Rating 36

Wellinever ... You believe WHAT happens more than we can imagine? Have you read the story? Have you understood it? Thisd pilot is to face NO FURTHER action. It follows that he was NOT over the limit. I do hope that neither you nor donnalou ever serve on a jury.

- cassius , lemesos, 05/3/2013 15:26

Click to rate Rating 33

Quick people. Judge this man before anyone else does

- Dreaming101 , London, 05/3/2013 14:07

Click to rate Rating 21

'Although the pilot has since been told he will face no further police action' So now it is an internal Airline matter and no business of the general public.

- Terry McCarthy , Chiang Mai, Thailand, 05/3/2013 13:39

Click to rate Rating 17

I believe this happens more times than we can imagine,? I personally think every pilot should be breath tested before every flight.!

- wellinever , Bristol, United Kingdom, 05/3/2013 13:30

Click to rate Rating 62

Not surprised! I thought it was a known fact that the majority of pilots were alcoholics!!!! They keep Betty Ford in business!

- donnalou , Berkshire, 05/3/2013 13:28

Click to rate Rating 39

"Police swooped on him " ...................Yes, very droll

- Bigman , Glasgow, United Kingdom, 05/3/2013 13:21

Click to rate Rating 38

Not really a story then.