British Airways has officially terminated the employment of a pilot whose actions during a layover in Johannesburg resulted in the cancellation of a flight, incurring a substantial cost of $120,000 for the airline. Reports from various U.K. publications reveal that the first officer had engaged in a series of cocaine and alcohol-fueled activities and had shared detailed accounts of his behavior with a flight attendant friend via text messages. In one text, he reportedly admitted, "I've been a very naughty boy."
Despite his previous night's antics, the pilot arrived for duty the following day, only for the flight attendant to report his behavior, ultimately leading to the flight's cancellation. The first officer returned as a passenger on a later flight. Upon landing at Heathrow Airport, he underwent a drug test, which he failed. Subsequently, British Airways promptly terminated his employment. The airline confirmed the pilot's dismissal without providing further details.
The Civil Aviation Authority explained that in cases where a pilot fails a drug test, the standard procedure is to immediately revoke their medical certification. If the pilot intends to resume flying, they would typically undergo an evaluation by a specialized medical team, with the possibility of participating in a comprehensive rehabilitation program before returning to flight duties.
