Delta Air Lines Pilot Arrested for Exceeding Alcohol Limit in Scotland
June 21, 2023 – Delta pilot Lawrence Russell Jr., 62, has been arrested in Edinburgh, Scotland for allegedly exceeding the alcohol limit. The incident took place on Friday around 10am local time, and Russell was charged on Monday under Section 93 of the Rail and Transport Safety Act, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Following the arrest, Russell appeared in court but did not plead guilty to the charge. He has been taken into custody and is scheduled to appear in court again within the next eight days. Court records reveal that Russell was scheduled to pilot Delta flight DL209 from Edinburgh to New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport, but the flight had to be canceled, and the airline had to reschedule flights for the affected passengers.
Delta Air Lines confirmed the incident and expressed their cooperation with local authorities in their investigation. An airline spokesperson told The Associated Press, “Delta is assisting authorities with their ongoing investigations. We apologize to customers affected by the cancellation.” The airline further stated that its alcohol policy is among the strictest in the industry.
In more positive news, Delta and LATAM Group recently announced the expansion of joint venture routes between North and South America. As part of this expansion, LATAM Airlines Colombia will introduce a new daily service between Miami and Medellín, starting October 29. The flights will be operated on Airbus A320 aircraft, offering Premium Economy and Economy cabins.
This incident underscores the importance of strict alcohol policies for airline crew members. The safety and well-being of passengers should always be a top priority, and any violation of such policies can have severe consequences. Delta Air Lines will continue to work closely with authorities to ensure a thorough investigation into the incident.
Stay up-to-date with the latest news, updates, and travel deals by subscribing to the TravelPulse Newsletter.
—
Word count: 223 words
Source
