Japan Airlines Cuts Pay of Senior Executives Over Drunk Pilot Incident

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TOKYO- Top executives at Japan Airlines (JL) face a pay cut following a December 2024 incident involving two pilots testing above the alcohol limit. This event, which delayed a flight by over three hours, has resulted in disciplinary actions for top executives, signaling the airline’s commitment to accountability and safety.

In addition to salary pay cuts, structural changes in leadership and safety oversight have been announced to prevent similar occurrences.

Photo: Aero Icarus | Flickr

Japan Airlines Executives Pay Cut

The Japan Airlines (JL) drinking incident occurred on December 1, 2024, when flight JL 774, scheduled to depart from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT), was delayed for over three hours after two pilots failed alcohol breathalyzer tests.

Japan Airlines prohibits drinking within 12 hours of boarding, and this violation led to significant operational disruption and reputational damage.

In response, Japan Airlines announced that President Mitsuko Tottori and Chairperson Yuji Akasaka would receive a 30% salary reduction for two months.

Tottori expressed regret for the incident, acknowledging lapses in decision-making by senior directors.

She also revealed that Akasaka would be removed from his role as safety controller, highlighting the airline’s intention to strengthen oversight.

Three additional executives from the flight operations and safety management divisions were disciplined, emphasizing the company’s stance on shared accountability.

Photo: By Hawkeye UK – https://www.flickr.com/photos/65001151@N03/48523089111/, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=81317432

Similar Incident

Japan Airlines has faced similar issues in the past. In 2018, top executives, including Akasaka, took pay cuts of up to 20% over a pilot’s failure to meet alcohol regulations.

That pilot, who attempted to operate a flight from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Tokyo, was later jailed.

This recurrence of alcohol-related issues suggests ongoing challenges in ensuring compliance with strict internal guidelines.

In an effort to mitigate such incidents, Japan Airlines introduced new breathalyzer systems at overseas airports in 2018.

These measures were implemented to reinforce the company’s zero-tolerance policy for alcohol consumption among pilots.

Photo: By Anna Zvereva from Tallinn, Estonia – Japan Airlines, JA871J, Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=70522822

Japan Airlines Future Measures

The incident has prompted Japan Airlines to review its safety protocols and strengthen measures to prevent future violations.

The airline’s swift disciplinary actions demonstrate a broader industry trend towards heightened accountability and safety enforcement.

Incidents like this serve as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining trust and safety in the aviation sector.

As airlines strive to uphold operational integrity, the role of leadership in enforcing standards becomes increasingly significant.

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Two Drunk Japan Airlines Pilots Delays Flight from Australia

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