Pilots Arrested On Suspicion Of Being Drunk

Two pilots have been arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol shortly before they were due to fly a transatlantic passenger jet.

Concerns over the pair’s behaviour were raised at Glasgow Airport shortly before the Air Transat A310 with 250 passengers on board was due to depart for Toronto on Monday afternoon.

Officers arrested the men, aged 37 and 39, on suspicion of being “impaired through alcohol” before they were due to take off at 1pm.

Police Scotland said the pair will appear in custody at Paisley Sheriff Court later.

The Canadian airline confirmed the arrests and said passengers had been put up in hotels while alternative flights were arranged.

A spokesman said: “Air Transat has learned of the arrest on 18 July of two crew members assigned to its Glasgow-Toronto flight.

“We will await the results of the investigation and judicial proceedings before commenting on the matter before making any further comments.

"The safety of our crews and passengers is, and will remain, a top priority at Air Transat.”

Passengers who complained on social media about being delayed were told by the airline: “For operational reasons we have no choice.”

A rescheduled flight is expected to leave on Tuesday.