BA pilots sacked after drink film

The airline has been holding disciplinary hearings

British Airways has sacked two pilots who were seen drinking heavily the night before they were due to fly.

They were dismissed for gross misconduct, British Airways confirmed.

Another resigned and two more pilots were issued with written warnings, a spokeswoman for the airline said.

The flouting of BA's rules came to light after Channel 4's Dispatches programme showed footage of the pilots drinking on the evening before they were due to fly.

A total of 11 pilots and three cabin crew were grounded following the programme going out on 12 October.

Random tests

The BA spokeswoman said that internal investigation of 24 hours of video tape led them to investigate a further five cabin crew members.

Two pilots have been reinstated, having no case to answer, while disciplinary hearings for the remaining four pilots are due to take place over the next four weeks.

Of the eight cabin crew, two will be reinstated in their jobs and investigations are being carried out into the other six as to whether they will face disciplinary hearings.

Following the programme, British Airways introduced random alcohol and drug testing for staff.

It is the first major European airline to introduce the tests, which will come into force next year.