Air New Zealand pilot allows allegedly drunk passenger to travel in cabin

An Air New Zealand pilot was “reminded of the correct procedure” after inviting a “drunk” passenger to travel in the cabin of a flight from Wellington to Nelson. The woman was traveling in the “folding seat” of the Q300 aircraft.

Nelson businessman Bob Llewellyn complained to the airline and the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the response was “just not good enough.”

The passenger, a Llewellyn employee, concluded a business trip in Wellington with a co-worker at the end of February. The two women “had some celebratory drinks at their Wellington hotel” before heading to the airport, Llewellyn said.

This was followed by “a few more drinks in the Koru Lounge” before boarding the evening flight. “In a confined space like a booth, the smell of alcohol would have been obvious,” according to Llewellyn.

“A few drinks at the end of a business trip is not a problem. But I think that a drunk passenger traveling in the flight deck, within reach of the aircraft controls, is a problem for Air New Zealand and other passengers at board. “Llewellyn said.

The passenger, contacted by the Herald, declined to answer questions, but said she had “enjoyed some bubbles” before the flight but still felt composed.

An Air New Zealand spokesman said the complaint was investigated earlier this year and the pilot was “reminded of the correct procedure to authorize access to the flight deck.”

“Fleet management was satisfied that the matter was dealt with appropriately and no further action was required.”

The spokesperson said that passengers could travel in the flight deck under certain circumstances, for example, if they are direct relatives of an Air New Zealand employee or have a letter of authorization from a senior airline operations manager.

He said “there was no indication that the passenger was under the influence of alcohol.”

A spokesperson for the CAA said the authority was satisfied with Air New Zealand’s investigation and “feels it was an appropriate response. There was no other safety action recommended by the CAA.”

The Herald has seen the email correspondence between Llewellyn and CAA officials. In a May email, the CAA provided Llewellyn with an update on the case.

“The Captain acknowledged the fact that he had brought the passenger who [sic] I knew him very well on the flight deck. The Captain reported that the passenger did not exhibit any type of behavior indicating that he had been drinking alcohol, nor did he smell alcohol on the passenger, ”the email says.

The CAA email also noted that Air New Zealand’s investigation included interviewing the crew involved.

“As a result of this investigation, a training session was conducted with the Captain ensuring that he was familiar with Air New Zealand manuals and ensuring that the event was not repeated. In addition, Air New Zealand will also send safety communications to your crew by highlighting the manual references as a reminder of who can sit in the flight deck, “the email says.