EasyJet suspends pilot after drunken incident at Cape Verde hotel

Airlines enforce strict rules prohibiting pilots from operating aircraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Incidents involving intoxicated flight crew can lead to suspensions and investigations due to potential risks and reputational harm for airlines.

Cape Verde represents a growing market for easyJet as it expands beyond Europe. Currently, flights operate between Amílcar Cabral International Airport (SID) in Sal and three European bases using Airbus A320 aircraft. Most routes originate in Portugal—17 round trips are scheduled between Lisbon Airport (LIS) and Sal this August, along with eight from Porto Airport (OPO). Another route connects London Gatwick Airport (LGW) with Sal, offering 13 rotations this month. Additional direct services from Manchester Airport (MAN) in the UK and Milan Malpensa (MXP) in Italy are planned for October according to Aero Routes.

This event is not isolated within aviation; other incidents involving intoxicated pilots have occurred globally. In December 2018, Japan Airlines received an official warning following multiple alcohol-related cases among its pilots. In April 2024, another incident led Japan Airlines to cancel a Dallas-Tokyo flight after its captain's drunken behavior resulted in police involvement.

Similarly, Delta Air Lines faced scrutiny when one of its pilots reported for duty intoxicated before a scheduled Edinburgh-New York flight in June 2023; that case resulted in a ten-month jail sentence for the pilot.

easyJet operates as a low-cost carrier with hubs at airports such as Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, Berlin Brandenburg Airport, Geneva Airport, London Gatwick Airport, London Luton Airport, and Milan Malpensa Airport. Founded in 1995 and currently led by CEO Kenton Jarvis, easyJet maintains strict operational standards regarding crew conduct.