UK: Pilot arrested before take-off on alcohol fears

London, Apr 2: The pilot of a Virgin Atlantic plane bound for New York from London was arrested just before take-off on suspicion of being over the alcohol limit, police said today.

Police sprang into action yesterday morning after being tipped off by security staff who thought the pilot had been drinking, the Sun tabloid added.

''Officers at Heathrow Airport arrested a 47-year-old male pilot onboard a Virgin Atlantic flight en route to JFK,'' a police spokeswoman said. He was arrested under a section of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 that relates to being over the limit on alcohol or drugs.

The man was bailed to a date in May, the spokeswoman said.

Virgin Atlantic [VA.UL] apologised for the inconvenience caused to its passengers, who were delayed for an hour while a replacement pilot was found, according to the Sun.

''We would like to apologise for the inconvenience and also reassure passengers that safety is our priority,'' Richard Branson's carrier was quoted in the newspaper as saying.

Reuters

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