An expert panel will be set up later this month to tighten drinking rules for aviation staff after a series of alcohol-related scandals involving Japanese airline pilots recently came to light, transport minister Keiichi Ishii said Tuesday.
Ishii told a news conference he has also instructed Japan Airlines Co. and All Nippon Airways Co. to report by Nov. 16 their measures to prevent heavy drinking by its airplane staff after their flights were affected by drunken pilots.
A JAL co-pilot was arrested by British police for being about 10 times over the legal limit under British aviation law after he drank the night before his London-Tokyo flight on Oct. 28, while an ANA pilot became unwell after drinking in Okinawa, causing flight delays on Oct. 25.