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JAPAN-AVIATION
Japan to make alcohol tests mandatory for pilots
TOKYO, Dec 19, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Japan plans to make alcohol tests
mandatory for pilots, officials said Wednesday, following a series of flight
delays caused by drunk or hungover pilots at Japanese carriers.
The move comes after a Japan Airlines co-pilot was arrested in Britain
last month shortly before a flight for being almost 10 times over the legal
blood alcohol limit.
A transport ministry panel on Wednesday agreed a proposal to impose
mandatory testing on airlines and breath alcohol limits of 0.09 milligrammes
per litre.
The drink-drive limit is 0.15 milligrammes.
The official proposal is expected to be unveiled on Friday.
Under Japan’s current system, while plane crew members are banned from
drinking within eight hours of working, there is no legal limit set and
breath tests are not required.
The JAL co-pilot cleared an in-house breath test but aroused the suspicion
of a bus driver taking him to the plane at Heathrow Airport.
London police said a test on the co-pilot taken 50 minutes before the
flight’s scheduled departure revealed he was nearly 10 times over the limit.
He had reportedly consumed two bottles of wine and more than 1.8 litres
(nearly four US pints) of beer over six hours on the night before the flight.
“We are certain (the in-house breath test) wasn’t conducted properly,” JAL
communications chief Muneaki Kitahara told reporters at the time.
All Nippon Airways also revealed last month that a hungover pilot had
caused multiple flight delays.
BSS/AFP/RY/1608 hrs