Pakistan airline's drunk pilot held in Britain

London, Sept 20: A Pakistani airline's pilot has been arrested in Britain on suspicion of being intoxicated while being in charge of a plane.

The pilot believed to be associated with Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), the national flag carrier, was arrested from the Leeds Bradford airport Wednesday night, Geo News reported Thursday.

He was held while making pre-flight checks in the cockpit of the Airbus 310 aircraft.

"At about 10 p.m. police were called to Leeds Bradford International Airport where they arrested an airline pilot on suspicion of carrying out an activity ancillary to an aviation function while impaired by drink," a West Yorkshire Police spokesperson said .

"The 54-year-old man, from Pakistan, is currently in custody," he added.

A total of 180 passengers were on board at the time of the pilot's arrest. They were taken off the plane and provided overnight lodging in a hotel.

IANS