Pilot suspected of failing alcohol test delays Sydney flight back to HK

A second officer failed an alcohol breath test administered by Australian authorities and was unable to perform his duties, necessitating a crew replacement and causing a significant delay of Cathay Pacific's CX110 flight from Sydney, Australia, to Hong Kong.

Cathay Pacific confirmed the incident today (July 25) in response to media inquiries, stating that the involved second officer has been immediately suspended from flying duties pending a comprehensive investigation.

Cathay Pacific said they had to dispatch additional pilots on flight CX139 from Hong Kong to Sydney to take over the duties of the implicated pilot, resulting in a one-day delay. Flight CX110 is now expected to arrive in Hong Kong at 18:22 today, according to the latest information on Cathay Pacific's website.

The airline has arranged for affected customers to be transferred to other flights to depart from Sydney as soon as possible and sincerely apologizes for the inconvenience caused.

Cathay Pacific emphasized that the company strictly enforces its Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) policy, which sets internal standards and guidelines that crew members must not be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including a prohibition on drinking alcohol within ten hours before performing flight duties.

Cathay Pacific noted that they will not tolerate non-compliance, and any employee found violating this code will be immediately dismissed according to the company's established procedures.