Air Transat Pilots Arrested in Scotland on Suspicion of Being Drunk

Two pilots were arrested on the suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol shortly before they were due to take off on a flight to Toronto from Glasgow.

Police officers hauled the male pilots from the cockpit of the Air Transat’s A330, causing the flight to be delayed for more than 20 hours, reports the New York Times.

Passengers expressed their relief and annoyance on Twitter, with one thanking Scotland Police for preventing a potential tragedy:

A Police Scotland spokeswoman told the New York Times that even a “wee bit” of alcohol in a pilot could bring about legal proceedings. A pilot cannot exceed nine micrograms of alcohol in a 100 millimetres of breath in a breathalyser test in Scotland, reports the NYT.

In a statement, Air Transat confirmed its employees arrest: “We will await the results of the investigation and judicial proceedings before commenting on the matter, before making any further comments,” it said in a statement. “The safety of our crews and passengers is, and will remain, a top priority at Air Transat.”