GLASGOW, Scotland — A flight bound for Canada from Scotland was grounded and rescheduled Monday after cabin crew members reported that the plane's pilots appeared to be too intoxicated to make the trip.
Police Scotland said in a statement that the men, ages 39 and 37, were arrested "in relation to being allegedly impaired through alcohol."
The captain and first officer were scheduled to fly an Air Transat flight carrying about 250 passengers from Glasgow to Toronto on Monday afternoon, the CBC reported. The flight was canceled and rescheduled for Tuesday, according to the Press Association.
Air Transat acknowledged the arrests in a statement. A spokesperson said the airliner would not comment further on the incident as the case winds its way through the court system.
TS725 Safety of our crews & passengers is our top priority. We await results of judicial proceedings before commenting on the matter. /NB
— Air Transat (@airtransat) July 19, 2016
"The safety of our crews and passengers is, and will remain, a top priority at Air Transat," the statement said, in part.
Travelers expressed frustration on social media over the delay.
Thanks @airtransat for extending my vacation to Scotland by a day. Glad I dont have anything to do at home or anything #sarcasm
— Sèan Brown (@Nu11X3r0) July 18, 2016
In an exchange with one frustrated passenger, Air Transat said "for operational reasons we have no choice" but the cancel the flight.
"(I) just found out what 'operational reasons' means, and I'd like to thank Scotland police for preventing a possible tragedy," Twitter user Sean Brown responded.
@airtransat just found out what "operational reasons" means and I'd like to thank @ScotlandPolice for preventing a possible tragedy.
— Sèan Brown (@Nu11X3r0) July 19, 2016
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