Drunk Easyjet pilot in Cape Verde: scandal on vacation!

Drunk Easyjet pilot in Cape Verde: scandal on vacation!

An incident on the Cape Verde island of Sal is currently troubling the aviation community. An Easyjet pilot has been taken off duty after a scandalous incident at a hotel. The incident occurred on August 5, 2025 at around 2:30 a.m. when the pilot staggered naked through the lobby of the Melia Dunas Beach Resort. Witnesses reported that the man smelled strongly of alcohol and was slurring. This came just a day after he flew passengers to the island from the UK.

Hotel guests recognized the drunk pilot and immediately informed the responsible authorities at Easyjet. The company reacted quickly: the pilot was immediately relieved of his duties and a replacement pilot was found for the planned flight. An insider expressed shock at the veteran captain's behavior and confirmed that an internal investigation has been launched to investigate the incident. The incidents highlight the problem of alcohol abuse in connection with aviation.

Risks of drinking alcohol on a plane

The dangers of consuming alcohol on a plane should not be underestimated. A study by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) examined the effects of alcohol under the conditions of an aircraft. Passengers are exposed to lower levels of oxygen on airplanes because the air pressure in the cabin is equivalent to the pressure at about 8,000 feet (2,438 meters). Normally, the oxygen content in the blood of healthy people is over 95 percent, while in an airplane this drops to around 88 percent.

Consuming alcohol further reduces the oxygen level in the blood. Two glasses of wine or two cans of beer can bring it down to about 85 percent. This results in an increased heart rate as the heart tries to compensate for low oxygen levels. Such changes can lead to headaches, increased blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias and even strokes, especially in people with existing medical conditions.

Recommendations for a safe flight

Cardiologist Sabine Genth-Zotz recommends using relaxation techniques such as conscious breathing and calm music to make it easier to fall asleep on the plane. She also recommends avoiding taking sleeping pills and instead choosing light food and comfortable clothing for a relaxed flight. Genth-Zotz also calls for more information about the risks of drinking alcohol on planes in order to raise awareness among passengers.

The events surrounding the drunken Easyjet pilot and the results of the study make it clear how important it is to raise awareness of the risks of alcohol in aviation. The incident could have far-reaching consequences for the airline and the perception of alcohol on the plane. It remains crucial for passengers to be aware of the risks and use alcohol responsibly, especially under the special conditions of a flight.

You can find more information about this incident at watson.de and contributes to the health risks of alcohol on planes zdfheute.de.