Crew Member Sacked After Being Filmed Downing Booze While On Duty

The footage then showed Mr Thompson attempting to hide the drinking from his colleagues.

Authorities Alerted

The Captain of the flight, operated for Ryanair by subsidiary Lauda Europe, was alerted to the incident and called the authorities. Thompson was then arrested and charged.

A spokesperson for Essex Police said: “Sam Thompson, 26, of Cheshunt, will appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, June 8, to answer a charge of performing an aviation function, namely a member of Cabin Crew of an aircraft during flight, when their ability to do so was impaired because of drink.”

He is now due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates Court on June 8.

A spokesperson for the airline said: “Lauda Europe policy, in line with European Aviation Safety Agency regulation, prohibits the consumption of alcohol by cabin or flight crew from 8 hours prior to a flight duty until after the duty is complete. Lauda Europe has investigated a reported individual cabin crew breach of this strict policy on a flight from Rzeszow to Stansted (May 18). The cabin crew member in question no longer operates for Lauda Europe.”