Civil Aviation suspends drunk pilot’s licence

The Civil Aviation Authority yesterday suspended the Pilot licence of the SriLankan Airlines pilot who failed a Breathalyzer (alcohol test) test at the Frankfurt airport causing a chain of events and losses including a 15-hour delay of a scheduled flight.

The move by the aviation regulatory authority comes after the national carrier on Sunday announced the suspension of the pilot concerned. 

The Director General of Civil Aviation, in a letter to the pilot informed that in view of the seriousness of the alleged violation, the Pilot License issued to the pilot, who due to his failing a breathalyzer test delayed the SriLankan flight from Frankfurt to Colombo on Friday, is suspended with immediate effect.

The airline said one of its captains who was due to operate UL554 from Frankfurt  to Colombo on 19 August failed to pass a Breathalyzer test carried out by the authorities at Frankfurt Airport in Germany.  Upon receiving the results, SriLankan Airlines took immediate steps to suspend the services of the captain and took alternative measures to operate the flight to Colombo. The airline said it has a well-established strict substance abuse policy that is designed to put the safety of customers and employees first. The airline has no tolerance for abuse or violations of this policy. 

The highly irresponsible act by the pilot concerned has caused the national carrier significant damage including compensation to passengers as per EU laws and additional fees at Frankfurt airport.