Portuguese pilot held in Germany after being found drunk in cockpit

The co-pilot of a Portuguese airline was detained in Stuttgart after being found drunk in the cockpit just before take-off, German police and prosecutors said Saturday.

Published: 24 March 2018 15:18 CET
Updated: 25 March 2018 08:34 CEST

Portuguese pilot held in Germany after being found drunk in cockpit

A file photo of a Portugalia aircraft. Photo: Senohrabek/Depositphotos

German police entered the cockpit and found the 40-year-old in a “highly intoxicated condition” on Friday evening, a statement said.

An airport official had sounded the alert after finding the Portugalia pilot “reeking of alcohol and walking unsteadily,” it said. Portugalia is a subsidiary of the national carrier TAP.

Stuttgart prosecutors immediately suspended the co-pilot's flying licence and fixed a 10,000-euro ($12,000) bail.

Portugalia cancelled a flight from Stuttgart to Lisbon on Friday night with 106 passengers.

TAP said it would “open an enquiry and take necessary measures” and apologised to passengers for the inconvenience caused.