The Japanese carrier is taking the unusual step of disciplining all its board directors and executive officers. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
TOKYO (Japan Times/ANN): Japan Airlines said on Wednesday that it has decided to cut the remuneration of President Mitsuko Tottori and 36 other executives over a scandal involving a captain who drank excessively in Hawaii prior to his duties.
JAL dismissed the 64-year-old captain on Sept 11 as a disciplinary measure, the airline said.
The Japanese flag carrier took the unusual step of disciplining all its board directors and executive officers following a number of alcohol-related incidents, with JAL saying, “internal reforms to raise safety awareness were insufficient”.
Last week, the country’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism reprimanded the airline and urged it to report back on preventive measures.
Tottori's monthly salary will be cut by 30% for two months. Managing Executive Officer Yukio Nakagawa, who also serves as chief safety officer, and Masaki Minami, who is in charge of flight operations, will have their pay reduced by 20% for one month. The remaining 34 executive officials will see their pay slashed by 10% for one month.
According to JAL, the captain, who was assigned to pilot a flight to Chubu Centrair International Airport in Aichi Prefecture from Honolulu, Hawaii, on Aug. 28, drank three bottles of 9.5% alcohol beer on the previous day.
This resulted in delays of up to 18½ hours for three flights.
On Sept. 10, the transport ministry issued a stern warning to JAL for inadequate internal management and supervision regarding alcohol consumption. Administrative penalties against the former captain are also under consideration.
JAL punished Tottori and other executives also in the wake of drinking issues of two other JAL captains that came to light in December last year. - Japan Times/ANN
