Junior Cathay Pacific pilot suspended after failing alcohol test before flight to Hong Kong

“The reporting time [for pilots] is about one hour ahead of the scheduled departure and alcohol shall not be consumed after that,” the source said.

“The company limit is 0.02 per cent blood alcohol content. Now that the original second officer has been suspended from duty, Cathay has to arrange another second officer there as a replacement, causing a prolonged delay.”

The insider said the Airbus A350-941 was due to depart at 7.35am Sydney time on Tuesday and arrive in Hong Kong at 3.05pm. But the flight was delayed by at least two days after the second officer failed the test.

The flight is now scheduled to depart from Sydney at 10.35am on Thursday Australia time and arrive in Hong Kong at 5.27pm.

The source said the carrier was displeased over the incident which had incurred financial losses and it might consider sacking the second officer in question.

According to Cathay’s operation manual, a positive breath test for employees in safety-sensitive roles is defined as a reading greater than or equal to 9 micrograms per 100ml of breath.

The manual states crew members should not report for duty under the adverse effect of alcohol or other drugs. Neither should they consume alcohol within 10 hours of reporting time for duty.

The Post has contacted Cathay for comment.