Most
of the British Airways crew suspended following a Channel 4 documentary on
alcohol abuse among pilots are flying again.
The
airline announced that eight of the 11 staff are now back at work. A spokesman
for BA said two of the other crew suspended were found to have no case to
answer and one still has a case pending.
Plans
by the airline to introduce a random alcohol and drug-testing programme for
pilots and cabin crew, which were announced following the screening of the
Channel 4 programme, are due to be revealed shortly.
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David
Hyde, director of safety for BA, said, "Safety is paramount in British
Airways. We have been looking for some time at the successful implementation of
random testing in other industries, in particular the railway and chemical
sectors. We believe it is the right way forward for us."
A
working group has been set up and the airline has had discussions with the
Civil Aviation Authority and the Department of the Environment Transport and
the Regions over its proposals.
