JAL Copilot Given 10-Month Jail Term in Britain for Drinking

November 30, 2018

London--A British court sentenced a 42-year-old Japan Airlines <9201> copilot to 10 months in prison without suspension on Thursday over excessive drinking before his flight duty last month.

The copilot, Katsutoshi Jitsukawa, endangered the safety of passengers by drinking, a presiding judge at Isleworth Crown Court in western London said, adding that the potential consequences could have been catastrophic.

Jitsukawa had admitted to the charges during his trial.

British police detained him on Oct. 28 at Heathrow Airport in London after a preflight alcohol test on him detected alcohol levels nearly 10 times the British legal limit.

The incident delayed the departure of the flight for Tokyo by one hour.

The copilot was later found to have drunk large amounts of alcohol, such as wine and beer, the day before his flight duty.

JAL announced preventive measures on Nov. 16, including stricter preflight alcohol checks. Jiji Press