London : A Cathay Pacific pilot, due to fly more than 260 passengers from London to Hong Kong, was arrested at Heathrow Airport here, for allegedly possessing knives.
He was taken into custody an hour before his flight was due to take off from London on Saturday night.
Police said weapons were discovered during a search of flight crew staff. The pilot, reportedly 61, was taken to a local police station and has been bailed until next month.
There was no relief crew, so passengers had to wait until Sunday to complete their journey.
A Scotland Yard spokesperson said, “Officers attended and subsequently a member
of the flight crew, a man, was arrested on
suspicion
of possession of an offensive weap-on in a public place and possession of
a knife blade/ sharp
pointed article in a
public place.”
The Metropolitan Police said “some knives” were seiz-ed and officers at Heathrow Airport were investigating the incident.
A Cathay Pacific spokesperson said,
“Cathay Pacific can confirm that CX254 was delayed due to a crew-related incident concerning some items found in the pilot’s hand luggage.
At no point were passengers or staff put at risk. Given timings, Cathay Pacific were unable to organise a relief crew and therefore passengers experienced an overnight delay. Cathay Pacific takes this very seriously and is liaising with the relevant authorities,” the spokesperson said.
— PTI
