Drunken Delta pilot arrested in Scotland earlier than flight to New York

A Delta Air Lines pilot was arrested in Edinburgh, Scotland, at 10 a.m. native time Friday earlier than a flight was set to take off for New York. He was accused of getting alcohol over the authorized blood restrict in his system.

The pilot, Lawrence Russell Jr., a 62-year-old Georgian, appeared in Edinburgh Sheriff Court Monday and is due again subsequent week, in keeping with media reviews.

Mr. Russell entered no plea. If convicted, he’ll face a most sentence of two years in jail.

Scottish legislation enforcement didn’t say how a lot alcohol was purportedly within the pilot’s blood on the time of arrest.

Under the U.Ok.’s Railways and Transport Safety Act of 2003, the authorized blood alcohol restrict for members of a aircraft’s crew is 0.02%.

Delta Air Lines canceled the flight to John F. Kennedy International Airport and accommodated its passengers. The air provider is cooperating with the legislation enforcement investigation into the incident.

“Delta‘s alcohol policy is among the strictest in the industry and we have no tolerance for violation,” an organization spokesperson informed Insider.