A 62-year-old American Airlines pilot is enduring a longer than expected layover in the UK, after being arrested for allegedly being over the alcohol limit.
The pilot was arrested at Manchester Airport on suspicion of being drunk, causing Flight AA735 to Philadelphia to be canceled.
Passengers were rebooked on other flights.
The pilot was arrested for ‘performing an aviation function when over the prescribed limit of alcohol,’ police said.
The pilot was later released on bail.
Neither Greater Manchester Police nor the airline have named the pilot.
"Safety is our highest priority and we apologize to our customers for the disruption to their travel plans; all were rebooked on alternative flights. We are fully cooperating with local law enforcement and further questions should be referred to them," American said.
Under FAA regulations, a pilot must abstain from alcohol for at least eight hours before signing on for active flying duty.
