Flights of JAL affected by another alcohol-related pilot accident

Japan Airlines Co has once again found itself in the spotlight due to an alcohol-related incident, causing flight delays and inconveniencing a significant number of passengers. This is the third such incident reported in recent months.

On Wednesday, the captain of a Japan Airlines co-flight was found to have consumed alcohol the previous day in a hotel, leading to about 18 hours of delays on flights bound for Haneda Airport in Tokyo and Chubu Centrair International Airport. The pilot, whose name has not been disclosed, called in sick on the flight day, necessitating a replacement pilot.

The incidents have led to flight delays affecting approximately 630 passengers in total. Two of these delays were approximately 18 hours long.

This unfortunate event follows a business improvement order issued to Japan Airlines in December due to alcohol-related problems involving the carrier's employees. In January, the company submitted measures to the transport ministry to prevent similar incidents, including creating a list of employees with a history of excessive drinking to monitor their behaviour.

The Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism visited Japan Airlines' head office in Tokyo to investigate the recent incident. Japan Airlines has promised to thoroughly implement the measures submitted to the transport ministry.

The company is taking steps to eradicate the problem, with new measures including monitoring employees with a history of excessive drinking.

This is not the first time Japan Airlines has faced such issues. In December, two pilots scheduled to fly from Melbourne, Australia, to Japan failed pre-flight alcohol tests, causing a delay in the departure of the flight.

Japan Airlines has apologised for the inconvenience caused and is working diligently to ensure such incidents do not occur in the future.