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A British Airways pilot has been suspended following allegations of drunkenly assaulting three female crew members during a stopover between flights in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The pilot, a married man in his 50s, reportedly became intoxicated after an argument with his 25-year-old lover, who had accompanied him on a discounted ticket on Flight BA057 from Heathrow.
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The incident escalated at the crew’s hotel when the pilot allegedly confronted a cabin manager, a first-class stewardess, and an in-flight lead, prompting security at the hotel to intervene and escort him back to his room.
The crew refused to operate the return flight with the pilot in the cockpit due to his aggressive behavior, leading British Airways to arrange for him to return to the UK as a passenger on a separate flight.
The pilot has since been suspended while an internal investigation is conducted by the airline.
British Airways has yet to release an official statement regarding the incident that transpired, but there are growing concerns within the airline over misconduct among crew members during layovers.
The pilot’s actions have drawn significant criticism, as intoxicated behavior, especially by someone responsible for passengers’ safety, poses serious risks and tarnishes the airline’s reputation, which has been built for a long time.
