Police Arrests Pilot at Heathrow for Carrying Knives before Flying

This article was last updated on April 16, 2022

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Police has confirmed to have arrested an airline pilot from Heathrow for alleged possession of knives before he could fly more than 250 passengers from London to Hong Kong. According to the authorities, the 61-year-old Cathay Pacific pilot was taken into custody around almost hour before his Boeing 777 was due to take off on Saturday evening. Thereafter, the pilot was released later a local police station on bail with orders to return next month. With no relief crew available, the passengers had to wait until yesterday to get away.

Addressing reporters about the incident, Met Police spokesman revealed that “on Saturday at around 9.10pm police at Heathrow Airport were called to a staff search area after a search of a member of flight crew, for a flight later that night, found them in possession of some knives.” It was explained that the “officers attended and subsequently the member of flight crew, a man, was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon in a public place and possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place,” adding that “he was taken into custody at a local police station where he was later bailed to return to in mid May pending further inquiries. The CID at Heathrow Airport is investigating.”

Meanwhile, a spokeswoman for Cathay Pacific alleged that “we will continue to co-operate with the authorities throughout the investigation,” adding that “we apologise for the delay and inconvenience caused to the 262 passengers booked on CX254. The airline assisted passengers with overnight accommodation and alternative flight arrangements. CX254 later departed Heathrow at 2.47pm yesterday and arrived in Hong Kong this morning at 9.31am local time. “The incident happened on the ground. As the incident is subject to police investigation, we are unable to provide further information.”