PILOTS ARRESTED IN GLASGOW Clarifications from Air Transat

Posted on 07/22/2016 | About Glasgow, United Kingdom

Air Transat has issued a statement regarding the July 18 arrest of two of their pilots in Glasgow. The issue, the company says, is a complex one, and the matter is the subject of judicial proceedings in Scotland. Both pilots, who are personally facing charges, have received an administrative suspension for the duration of the carrier’s internal investigation.

Because the matter is before the courts the airline will not comment further at this point.
However, Air Transat reiterates that the safety of its passengers and crew is the number one priority for the carrier.
“Canadian and European rules and regulations that we are subject to regarding alcohol consumption are very strict. Our own internal rules are even more stringent, and we do not tolerate any failure to comply. We have always taken, and we will continue to take, all necessary measures to ensure those rules are followed to the letter, and we are counting on the flawless cooperation of all our personnel in that respect,” said Jean-François Lemay, president and general manager, Air Transat.
“We will be compensating all passengers on this flight pursuant to the applicable European regulations.”
Jean-Francois Perreault, 39, and Imran Zafar Syed, 37, were detained at Glasgow Airport on Monday shortly before they were to fly an Airbus A310 with about 345 passengers from Glasgow to Toronto.
The two were charged under a section of the United Kingdom's Railway and Transport Safety Act that precludes people from conducting aviation functions “when the proportion of alcohol in (their) breath, blood or urine exceeds the prescribed limit.”
They are also each facing a charge related to threatening or abusive behaviour.