Japan’s transport ministry on Wednesday reprimanded Japan Airlines and urged it to report back on preventive measures it will take after an incident in which a pilot was unable to fly from Hawaii to Japan after failing a preflight alcohol screening, delaying three flights for hours.
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The major Japanese air carrier has in recent years faced multiple similar drinking incidents involving its pilots, and it comes after a previous warning given to JAL in December by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism.
The ministry said JAL employees lacked due consideration for safety, urging the company to compile measures by the end of the month to prevent a repeat.
“We take this issue very seriously and deeply apologise for causing trouble and worries,” JAL president Mitsuko Tottori told a press conference, adding that her company will fire the pilot.
Tottori said JAL will carry out stricter monitoring and use health data and other criteria in determining whether pilots can fly. Four of the company’s pilots were suspended from flying, she said.
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In the latest case, the pilot consumed three pints of beer – 568 millilitres each – a day before his flight on August 28 from Honolulu to Chubu airport near Nagoya.