Pilots with suspicious behaviour - Glasgow - Curt Lewis

 

Two pilots hauled from cockpit of passenger jet and arrested at Glasgow Airport on suspicion of being drunk

THE pilots were arrested yesterday after staff raised concerns over their behaviour before the Air Transat A310, carrying up to 250 passengers, was due to depart for Toronto.

Glasgow Airport Glasgow Airport

POLICE lifted two airline pilots at Scotland's biggest airport - after they allegedly turned up drunk.

Passengers and airport workers were shocked as officers hauled the pair from the cockpit of the Air Transat jet at Glasgow airport.

The scheduled passenger service had been due to set off at 1pm yesterday on a seven-hour flight to Toronto, Canada.

Police later confirmed the men, aged 37 and 39, had been arrested and are due to appear at Paisley Sheriff Court today.

A source said: "It's believed the pilots and other cabin crew were on the plane and had started to do their checks and prepare for boarding.

"It's claimed other members of staff noticed their behaviour was odd and reported them to the police because they thought they'd been drinking.

"Obviously you can never take any chances with that kind of thing and the cops soon arrived on the aircraft to investigate."

Passengers were put up in nearby hotels for the night and given vouchers for food. They will be put on an alternative flight today.

Last night the airline confirmed that a probe had been launched. A spokesman said: "Police Scotland are investigating two Air Transat pilots. Until the outcome is clear no further statements will be made.

"The delayed flight TS725 will operate tomorrow and all passengers have been accommodated."

A spokeswoman for Police Scotland said: "Two men aged 39 and 37 have been arrested in relation to being allegedly impaired through alcohol, under the Railway and Transport Safety Act 2003."

It's believed they are being held in Govan police station in Glasgow.

Last night a Glasgow Airport spokesman said: "We are aware of two individuals being arrested. This is now a police matter."