Alcohol and flight crew are actually two words that must be mutually exclusive. Unfortunately it happens again and again - also in Austria and Germany - that flight attendants and pilots do not do their duty soberly. However, this does not necessarily have to be due to serious problems, but sometimes - for example after a birthday party - the time it takes for the body to break down the alcohol is underestimated.

Basically, the captain is responsible for the behavior of the entire crew and, according to Austro Control, “has to take appropriate measures in the event of his crew becoming drunk. This is comparable to an employer who has to deal with an employee who is drunk ”.

While the alcohol limits in road traffic are clearly defined, things are a little different in aviation at the moment, as a spokesman for Austro Control explains: “In terms of aviation law, §171 LFG is currently applicable, but it only affects the pilots themselves being drunk. §171 LFG provides for a ban on flights if there is a risk to safety in aviation and contains a general definition of alcoholisation - "... if the pilot in charge is obviously in a state impaired by alcohol, drugs or narcotics" - without any specific limit. ”

However, in justified suspicions, the authorities can act and take immediate action. Occasionally, alcohol tests are carried out as part of the so-called ramp checks, which roughly fulfill the purpose of a general traffic control in road traffic. There need not be any specific suspicion of this, because the officers are authorized to carry out spontaneous checks, just as they are with motorists. Of course, there are rights for those affected, but if you have nothing to hide, you will not try to evade an alcohol.

When asked who is authorized to carry out coercive measures in a specific suspected case or in the event of a “hit”, a spokesman for Austro Control replied as follows: “Authorized to ban flights and to carry out coercive measures are, among others, bodies authorized by Austro Control (Flight inspectors), organs of air traffic control and organs of the public security service (police). These coercive measures can range from a denial of the take-off clearance to the acceptance of the pilot's license. "

EASA sets a specific alcohol limit

In the coming year, however, there will be changes, because the new AOC regulation of the EASA provides Europe-wide uniform alcohol limits, which are then also precisely defined. “As far as a specific alcohol limit for flight personnel is concerned, an amendment to the AOC Regulation (AOCV) will come into force on February 14, 2021 in accordance with the European requirements of EASA, which will bring some adjustments. The amendment sets a limit for the alcohol content in the blood of 0,2 g / l (0,2 per mille) or an alcohol content of the breath of 0,1 mg / l ”, according to Austro Control. “The controls are carried out by specially trained inspectors from Austro Control. In suspected cases, alcohol controls are currently being carried out by Austro Control; from February 14, 2021 these will be carried out according to the requirements of EASA as part of the apron controls. "

Austro Control and BMI see responsibilities differently

Again and again it is difficult, especially for colleagues, to report a suspected case, because you don't want to endanger your job. However, safety is the top priority in aviation, so that alcoholism - regardless of whether there is a problem or whether there is residual alcoholism due to a party - should not be hushed up. Often a conversation with the colleague should be sufficient, so that he does not start his duty, a standby crew member takes over and the matter can be resolved discreetly within the company without causing a stir.

However, according to Austro Control, both flight personnel and passengers can draw the authorities' attention to suspected alcohol. The spokesman explains how this works: “Report to the police, for example, in the event of imminent danger or via the central reporting office of Austro Control ([email protected] or in the on-line tool. (https://www.austrocontrol.at/luftfahrtbehoerde/safety/meldewesen). ” The domestic authorities can also act with foreign airlines, provided they are in the airspace or on the ground of the Republic of Austria.

In the course of the research, however, there was also a contradiction, because the state police department of Lower Austria declared that it was not responsible for reporting suspected cases of possibly intoxicated personnel. This contradicts the statement by Austro Control. A media officer from the Ministry of the Interior explained: “Suspected cases, as you have described, which concern, for example, flight attendants or other airline personnel, or the taking of appropriate measures, do not actually arise - as the colleagues from the Schwechat city police command correctly informed you in the official area of ​​responsibility of the BMI, but in those of the airline itself, which regulates the behavior of its own staff, as a rule, with employment contracts. In certain cases, for example if there is such a suspicion against a pilot, the BMK may be responsible, whereby the police could only act as an assistance to the BMK. " The BMK - formerly the Ministry of Transport - did not answer a request on this subject at all.