A Japan Airlines flight from Hiroshima Airport to Haneda Airport was delayed by approximately 40 minutes [1] on May 23, 2024 [2].
The incident highlights the strict safety protocols regarding alcohol consumption for aviation personnel and the operational disruptions that occur when crew members are unfit for duty.
According to the airline, a cabin crew member tested positive for alcohol during a mandatory pre-flight screening [1]. The positive result followed a period of excessive drinking by the employee the previous day [1]. Because the crew member could not fly, the airline had to secure a replacement, which caused the departure delay [1].
Two crew members, the offending employee and a colleague, were removed from duty [3]. The airline spent the delayed period coordinating the logistics to ensure the flight could proceed with a full, compliant crew.
A Japan Airlines spokesperson said the company views the situation with great gravity. "We take this very seriously, as repeated alcohol-related incidents lead to a loss of trust," the spokesperson said [4].
The airline has not disclosed the specific alcohol concentration levels detected during the test, only that the result was positive and prohibited the employee from working the flight [1].
“A Japan Airlines flight from Hiroshima Airport to Haneda Airport was delayed by approximately 40 minutes.”
This event underscores the critical nature of 'bottle-to-throttle' regulations in aviation, where strict time intervals between alcohol consumption and duty are mandated to ensure passenger safety. For a major carrier like Japan Airlines, such an incident is not merely an operational glitch but a reputational risk, as it suggests a lapse in professional conduct and a potential challenge to the company's internal safety culture.
