by Donald Wood
Last updated: 10:29 AM ET, Mon January 22, 2018
It's never a good idea to drink before you fly. Especially if you're the pilot.
According to Sky News, the 49-year-old pilot boarded a British Airways flight from Gatwick Airport in England to Mauritius when crew members reportedly smelled alcohol on his breath.
The flight was originally scheduled to depart at 8:20 p.m. Thursday, but Sussex Police delayed the plane at the gate and boarded the flight to remove the pilot. Authorities arrested the pilot on "suspicion of performing an aviation function while his alcohol level was over the prescribed limit."
The pilot was released early Friday morning as police continue their investigation. As a result of the incident, the flight's departure time was delayed by more than two hours.
Officials from British Airways said in a statement they are taking the incident very seriously and will be helping the police in any way they can throughout the investigation.
"We are sorry for the delay to our customers," a British Airways spokesperson told Sky News. "The aircraft remained at the gate until an alternative third pilot joined the crew. The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority."
In December, a pilot was arrested in Canada for allegedly being drunk after he was found passed out in the cockpit of a Sunwing Airlines plane.
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