A flydubai flight from Kathmandu to Dubai was delayed for more than 10 hours after the pilot was found under the influence of alcohol.
"Whilst reporting for duty, a pilot scheduled to operate FZ8018 from Kathmandu (KTM) to Dubai (DXB) was suspected by a colleague to be under the influence of alcohol. The crew member in question was immediately tested and discovered to have a blood alcohol level above the legally acceptable level, and was therefore immediately deemed unfit to fly," the airline said in a statement.
The airline apologised for the delay, and added that it has a “zero tolerance policy on flight crew found to be in contravention of the regulations regarding alcohol consumption”, confirming that the airline conducts random tests on its operational staff.