B.A Crew arrested

Three British Airways crew, including a pilot, are back in Britain after being arrested in Norway on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol.

The trio, a pilot, first officer and cabin crew member, were detained at Oslo airport shortly before going on duty on a scheduled flight to the UK.

They were arrested by airport police after other BA staff alerted them to an “alleged breach of the airlines rules about alcohol consumption before duty”, BA said.

They were released while the Norwegian authorities await the results of blood tests.

If they are in breach, the trio could face proceedings in Norway or have the case handed over to the British authorities to be dealt with here, a spokesman for Gardermoen Police Station at Oslo airport said.

John Langhelle said they were detained under aviation law on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol when about to work on a plane.

He said they were free to go while the blood tests are carried out.

“Our police lawyers are seeing if the case has to be dealt with here or if it is possible to hand it over to the English authorities,” said Mr Langhelle.

“If it is to be dealt with here, the three will have to come back.”

The trio were arrested shortly before boarding BA flight 761 which was due to leave Oslo for Heathrow.

The flight was cancelled and its 55 passengers were put on alternative flights run by Scandinavian airlines, a BA spokeswoman said.

The company has launched a full investigation into the alleged breach of the airline’s rules.

The spokeswoman warned: “It is a disciplinary offence for an employee to report for work impaired by alcohol. It is deemed to be gross misconduct which can result in dismissal. We have a zero tolerance policy for any alleged abuse of our rules.”

British Airways’ rules state air personnel should only drink alcohol in moderation in the 24 hours before going on duty and should have none in the final eight hours.

The company will also submit a report to the Civil Aviation Authority, whose rules state air crew cannot be on a plane or on duty when drunk or under the influence of drugs.

The Railways and Transport Safety Act passed earlier this year set an alcohol limit for air crews at 20 milligrammes in 100 millilitres of blood – 25 per cent of the drink drive limit.

A date is still to be set for when the limit will be introduced