Japan Airlines Pilot Reportedly Removed From Duty After Drinking Alcohol Before Honolulu Flight

A Japan Airlines pilot in command was reportedly relieved from duty after drinking alcohol before an international flight. 

The captain reportedly called in sick on the day he was supposed to fly the passenger jet from Honolulu to Chubu Centrair International Airport in central Japan, and he later admitted to consuming alcohol before the flight, according to Japanese newspaper The Mainichi. The flight was originally scheduled to depart on Thursday, Aug. 28.

As a result of the incident, multiple flights were impacted, including two that were delayed by 18 hours, the outlet reports. A total of 630 passengers were reportedly affected.

The incident also prompted the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan to conduct an investigation at the airline’s head office in Tokyo, per the outlet.

In a statement shared with Bloomberg in response to the incident, Japan Airlines said: “We sincerely apologize to our customers and all parties involved for the inconvenience and trouble caused.”

“We take this matter very seriously, especially considering that it occurred while we were already under administrative guidance due to multiple safety incidents, including alcohol-related cases, and were working to prevent recurrence,” the statement added. 

Bloomberg, citing broadcaster FNN, reports that the captain was relieved from duty as a result of the incident. According to The Mainichi, Japan Airlines was able to find another pilot to fly the plane after a significant delay. 

PEOPLE has reached out to Japan Airlines, Chubu Centrair International Airport and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan for comment. 

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The latest alcohol-related incident involving a Japan Airlines pilot comes after the company received a Business Improvement Advisory from the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in December. 

According to a press release from the airline, the advisory was a result of “alcohol-related misconduct involving two cockpit crew members” on flight JL774 from Melbourne to Narita International Airport in Tokyo.

Of the incident, the airline stated: “Although the flight departed after confirming that the cockpit crew’s blood alcohol level was 0.00mg/l, it was noted that the crew had consumed alcohol exceeding the limit set for 12 hours before the start of flight duty, and inappropriate behavior by the crew was observed.”

In response to the advisory, the airline submitted a set of procedures they will be following “to prevent recurrence,” they wrote on their website in January. 

This includes “raising awareness about safety assurance, including measures against drinking alcohol” within the company, and “rebuilding” their alcohol testing system.