PILOTS FACE TOUGH NEW BREATH TESTS

AIRLINE pilots will face police breath tests for the first time under
strict new laws.

Aviation Minister Glenda Jackson is to act over growing fears for
passenger safety after alarming reports of pilots flying under the
influence of alcohol or drugs.

They are banned from drinking 48 hours before flying. But at present
police have no powers to breath-test or take blood samples from
pilots or air traffic controllers, who will also be covered by the
new laws.

Confidential reports have raised fears that many are flouting the
drinking ban. Last year a British Airways pilot was sacked after he
staggered on to his plane still drunk from a night out with colleagues.

Another was dismissed after confessing to being a heroin
addict.

At any one time, between 50 and 60 pilots are being counselled by the
Civil Aviation Authority for alcohol-related problems.

Foreign pilots are the main target.

Refusal to take the tests will result in an immediate ban from flying
into or out of UK airports.

But British pilots will also be subject to the new law, which will set
a maximum limit four times tougher than for motorists.

Crew members whose performance is found to be 'impaired' by drink or
drugs face dismissal.

A Government source said: 'It is a legal anomaly that pilots are not
subject to an alchohol limit and cannot be tested by police.

'It is an offence for a pilot to be working under the influence of
alcohol, but there is no mechanism under which they can be tested.' Ms
Jackson said: 'We are drawing up proposals to set limits for aircraft
crew and give the police the power to require suspected offenders to
provide samples.'