August 6, 2012
SYDNEY (AFP) - A Qantas Airways pilot was removed from a passenger flight just minutes before take-off because of concerns she had been drinking, reports and officials said on Monday.
A female captain had been suspended following the incident last week, when she had been preparing to pilot a Boeing 767-300 jet from Sydney to Brisbane, the Australian carrier said.
"A Qantas captain was withheld from service for administrative reasons," an airline spokesman said.
"The matter is being investigated and it would be inappropriate to comment further."
The Sydney Morning Herald said the pilot was ordered off the plane as it started taxiing after cabin crew alerted the flight operations manager that she may have been under the influence of alcohol.
Sources at Qantas said the report was correct.
