Japan’s MLIT sternly warns JAL over crew alcohol oversight

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) issued a stern warning to Japan Airlines (JAL), citing inadequate management and supervision regarding crew alcohol consumption.

This follows an incident on August 28 in which the captain scheduled to operate Flight JL793 from Honolulu to Nagoya/Chubu (Boeing 787-9, registration JA874J) drank three beers at his layover in violation of company rules. A voluntary pre-departure alcohol test conducted before leaving the layover location detected alcohol, and he reported the result to the company. As a result of removing the captain from duty, three flights were delayed. The captain is expected to be terminated for disciplinary reasons.

MLIT recognized the captain’s serious personal misconduct and stated that JAL’s management and supervision were insufficient and that its safety management system did not function adequately. The ministry instructed JAL to submit recurrence-prevention measures by September 30.

JAL has removed four crew members from duty after determining they were high risk based on metrics including liver function indicators. The airline will review its supervisory framework, including strengthened controls such as requiring submission of images of alcohol test results taken at layover locations.

In December 2024, drinking by the captain and first officer during a layover on a Melbourne–Tokyo/Narita flight caused a delay of about three hours, and MLIT issued a business improvement recommendation to JAL.

At a press conference, President Mitsuko Tottori apologized and explained that the criteria for placing crew on a watch list would be revised to emphasize indicators such as liver function values, and that any crew exceeding the thresholds would be removed from duty. She also indicated plans to pursue cultural reforms drawing on external expertise and to improve training for all employees.