American Airlines has launched an investigation after one of its crew members was arrested at a security checkpoint by Manchester airport police on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol.

The crew member was relief first officer for the crew of an American Airlines Boeing 767-operated flight to Chicago on 11 February. 

Manchester police say: “We arrested a man on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol while acting as a crew member.” He was later released on bail.

American Airlines says in a statement: “An investigation into the circumstances of this event was immediately launched by the airline and no further details of the incident will be released until this is completed.”

The carrier says, that as part of its strict policies on alcohol and substance abuse, employees at all levels of the company are not allowed to be on duty whilst under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

The flight departed Manchester at 11:25 – almost an hour late – and made a technical stop in New York to supplement the original crew.

GRAHAM DUNN / LONDON

This article first appeared on Air Transport Intelligence, an online business intelligence service for the air transport industry with 24 hour news and data available to subscribers.

Source: Flight International

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