Japan Airlines tightens alcohol rules for pilots after Heathrow arrest

Japan Airlines is introducing a new breathalyser system at airports abroad after one of its pilots was arrested at Heathrow for being drunk.

It comes after a Japanese newspaper reported that the airlines pilots had failed alcohol tests on 19 occasions since August 2017.

Katsutoshi Jitsukawa was arrested last month after failing an alcohol test shortly before a flight to Tokyo.

He had almost 10 times the legal permitted amount of alcohol in his bloodstream when he was arrested, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Reports in Japan said Mr Jitsukawa managed to cheat on an airline breath test before his arrest.

Japanese law does not set limits for alcohol consumption for pilots. Airlines are instead left to determine their own policies.

“The company takes this violation seriously, as safety remains our utmost priority, and sincerely apologises to all affected by the employee's actions,” Japan Airlines said in a statement.

On Friday, the airline announced it was banning its pilots from drinking within 24 hours of a flight. Previously the ban ran for 12 hours before flying.

Some ground staff will also be subject to tests, according to the Japan Times, and more sensitive screening equipment is to be rolled out around the world.

“We feel deeply responsible for causing the incident, which should never have happened,” Yuji Akasaka, the airline’s president, said at a news conference.

He also announced that he would cut his own pay by 20 percent in a display of managerial responsibility.