Yogesh Kumar

Delhi: An airhostess of a Mumbai bound Jet Airways flight tested alcohol positive during preflight testing at the Chennai airport on October 28. The airline has grounded the airhostess for three months.

The airhostess was part of the cabin crew of an early morning Jet Airway flight (9W482), which was taking off from Chennai airport. Confirming the incident, a Mumbai based spokesperson of Jet Airways said : "She tested positive during the alcohol test in Chennai airport. As per the rules of the airline she has been grounded for three months."

The spokesperson also said that the airline randomly carries out alcohol tests on crew members before flights. The airhostess was found positive to a test carried out at 4.45 a.m and then again another one later.

"When she tested positive twice the airline had no option but to ground her immediately," said a Jet Airways executive.

The incident, however did not result in delay in flight taking off.. The airline's spokesperson added: "It was a routine matter. According to the rules anyone, whether cabin crew or a pilot, testing alcohol positive for the first time is grounded. Testing positive a second time during the service would lead to strict disciplinary action like the termination of the service contract."

He admitted that Shweta Reedy had been tested alcohol positive for the first time. This is the second incident when airline staff has been grounded after being found alcohol positive.

On October 12, a Kingfisher Airways pilot had been grounded for three months after being caught drunk at IGI airport. In fact, there have been many instances of pilots being grounded for being high on spirits.