In 2024, Schiphol Airport witnessed a concerning spike in alcohol-related incidents among aviation staff, with ten cabin crew members and one pilot arrested for exceeding the legal blood alcohol limit. This marks the highest number of such cases as 2012, according to police data.
### Strict Rules, severe Penalties
Aviation personnel face stringent regulations regarding alcohol consumption. Pilots and cabin crew are prohibited from flying with more then 0.2 per mille of alcohol in their blood and must abstain from drinking for ten hours before a flight. “You actually have to be fully fasting,” the report notes,with the 0.2 per mille limit included for technical reasons.
The penalties for violations are severe. For pilots, the smallest infraction incurs a €1,100 fine. At 0.63 per mille (equivalent to two large glasses of alcohol), the penalty escalates to €4,700 and a 23-week flight ban. For levels exceeding 1.54 per mille, jail time of up to ten weeks is absolutely possible. Cabin crew face slightly less stringent rules, with fines starting at €275 and a maximum jail sentence of one month for first-time offenders.
### A Year of Incidents
Despite these strict measures, 2024 saw a notable increase in violations. Ten cabin crew members and one pilot were caught, with one pilot arrested on October 29 with a blood alcohol level of 0.45. He was fined €2,900, and the flight was delayed. A crew member from the same flight also exceeded the limit.
On November 20, three cabin crew members were caught in a single day during a major check. Two of them, a steward and stewardess from the same crew, were among the offenders. The stewardess,with a blood alcohol level of 1.43, was fined €1,900.
### A Decade of Data
The 2024 figures represent the highest number of incidents as 2012. In 2023, seven cabin crew members were caught, while 2022 saw seven cabin crew and three pilots arrested. However, the increase may reflect more rigorous checks rather than a rise in drinking habits.
### Key Penalties for Alcohol Violations
| Role | Blood Alcohol Level | Fine | Additional Penalty |
|——————–|———————|—————|—————————–|
| Pilot | 0.2 per mille | €1,100 | None |
| Pilot | 0.63 per mille | €4,700 | 23-week flight ban |
| Pilot | 1.54 per mille | N/A | 10 weeks in jail |
| Cabin Crew | 0.2 per mille | €275 | None |
| Cabin Crew | 1.43 per mille | €1,900 | Up to 1 month in jail |
Aviation personnel carry immense responsibility, and these incidents highlight the importance of adhering to safety protocols. As the industry continues to prioritize passenger safety, stricter enforcement and awareness campaigns may be necessary to curb such violations.
