British Airways reviews Hyderabad lodging after 3 pilots fall ill mid-air post India stopover
One pilot was incapacitated at 30,000 feet during the London-bound flight; BA cites crew welfare as top priority following suspected food poisoning
British Airways (BA) officials are reassessing the living arrangements provided to its crew in Hyderabad after reports emerged that all three pilots operating a flight from the city to London had fallen ill. The crew suffered suspected food poisoning during their stay in India, with one pilot reportedly becoming incapacitated mid-flight at 30,000 feet and needing oxygen. The incident happened earlier this week.
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The two other pilots were able to keep the aircraft flying but experienced even more severe symptoms after the plane touched down at Heathrow, following a journey that lasted over 10 hours.
Pilots drank water from outside vendor: Reports
Reports noted that the pilots had eaten breakfast in a hotel lounge in Hyderabad and consumed water sourced from an outside supplier.
Colleagues' welfare top priority: British Airways
Medical teams were examining samples to trace the source of the illness. The pilots filed Air Safety Reports and were asked to submit samples for testing. While confirming that passenger safety was not compromised and that the flight operated safely throughout, BA also said on Thursday (July 23) that the welfare of its colleagues remained its top priority and that it was reviewing accommodation in Hyderabad following “some isolated reports of sickness”.
The airline did not disclose specific details.
A Boeing 777, the aircraft on board which the incident was reported, generally operates with a flight and cabin crew of 12 to 16 members and between 300 and 400 passengers.
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The BA Pilots Association was contacted for its statement, the Daily Mail reported.
BA runs 63 weekly flights to Heathrow from Indian cities such as Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Chennai. It has daily services from the southern cities of Hyderabad and Chennai.
(With agency inputs)