A British Airways pilot who allegedly left the cockpit door open during a flight has been suspended after ‘breaching anti-terror laws’
The captain was flying from Heathrow Airport to New York JFK and allegedly wanted his family – who were on board the flight – to see him operating controls. Other passengers were said to be “alarmed” by the situation, and members of the crew reported the pilot to British Airways.
He was suspended, and the Civil Aviation Authority launched an urgent investigation into the security breach. It meant the return flight that was due to land in London on August 8 was cancelled.
Discussing what happened on the Heathrow to New York flight, a source told The Sun: “Crew and passengers immediately noticed the cockpit door was open and wanted to know what was happening. It made passengers incredibly uneasy.
“The door was wide open for a significant time — enough for people to worry and comment. BA colleagues were so alarmed that the pilot was reported in the US and bosses had to suspend him.”
Passengers impacted by the cancellation of the August 8 flight were offered alternative flights and the vast majority arrived within four hours of their original plan.
The pilot has returned to flying after an investigation found there was no security threat. A British Airways spokesperson said: “Safety and security is our top priority and allegations of this nature are always fully investigated.”
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