Dutch authorities conducted an alcohol screening operation at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport on Friday morning, 29 November, resulting in fines for three crew members who exceeded the legal alcohol limit for aviation personnel.
The operation, carried out by the Aviation Supervision Team (Team Luchtvaarttoezicht) in collaboration with the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee, tested 445 cabin and cockpit crew members between 07:00 and 10:00. Three individuals failed the tests.
One male flight attendant from a foreign airline tested at 0.24% blood alcohol content (105 micrograms/litre), slightly exceeding the aviation limit of 0.2%. He received a fine of €275 from the Dutch Public Prosecution Service.
On the same flight, a female colleague recorded a significantly higher level of 1.43% (620 micrograms/litre) and was fined €1,900. A third offender, a flight attendant from another foreign airline, tested at 1.30% (565 micrograms/litre) and faced a €1,800 fine.
Dutch aviation regulations strictly prohibit alcohol consumption within 10 hours prior to a flight, with a maximum allowable blood alcohol concentration of 0.2%. Regular checks are conducted at Schiphol to ensure compliance and maintain passenger and crew safety.
Authorities emphasise the importance of adhering to these standards, highlighting the critical role of sobriety in aviation safety. Similar operations will continue as part of routine oversight, the authorities warned.
Dear author
I assume you were thinking of pro mille, not per cent counts . 1,43 % alcohol is a lethal dose.
The ammount of 620 micrograms/litre does not result in 1,43 % alcohol but (roughly) 1,2 per mille. So all the given percent numbers are wrong in the article.
Dr. Ulrich Werner
Chief Medical Officer
German Military Aviation Authority