HIGH FLYERS? Pilots taken from transatlantic flight over ‘alcohol’ alert

TWO pilots were arrested on suspicion of being under the influence of alcohol as they prepared to fly a passenger jet from Scotland to Canada.

Staff raised concerns over the pilots’ behaviour before the Air Transat A310, carrying 250 passengers, was due to depart from Glasgow to Toronto on Monday afternoon.

Officers arrested the men, aged 37 and 39, on suspicion of being “impaired through alcohol” before they were due to take off at 1pm.

Police Scotland said the pair will appear in custody at Paisley Sheriff Court.

TV presenters and interior designers Colin McAllister and Justin Ryan, who split their time between Glasgow and Canada, were meant to catch the cancelled plane.

The couple revealed the frustrating lack of information they were given and thanked the person who flagged up the pilots’ behaviour.

Colin said: “We usually fly this route every eight weeks and have never experienced anything like this before.

“Initially we were told the flight was delayed by an hour, then two hours, then four hours. There was nothing on the information boards and eventually the flight was cancelled entirely.

“But when we woke up this morning in the hotel the airline put us up in, we went on Twitter and saw the reports that the pilot and first officer were allegedly under the influence of alcohol.

“It’s scandalous – we are so grateful to the member of staff who was brave enough to say the pilots were not fit to fly. “We applaud that person. “If it weren’t for them it could have been a very different story.’

A spokeswoman said: “The safety of our crews and passengers is, and will remain, a top priority at Air Transat.” ON BOARD: Telly stars Colin and Justin