British Airways pilots were struck with food poisoning after a stopover in India, with one officer left incapacitated and put on oxygen at 30,000 feet.
Breakfast in Hyderabad leads to illness
The pilots had broken their journey to the UK in India and ate breakfast together at a hotel lounge in Hyderabad, also drinking bottled water bought from an outside vendor. One officer was hit hard, becoming incapacitated and requiring oxygen during the 10.5-hour flight to London Heathrow. The other two pilots continued working but their symptoms progressed after landing.
Safety not compromised, says BA
British Airways confirmed passenger safety was not affected and the flight operated safely. However, insiders at pilots' union Balpa reportedly said officials are angered by previous complaints about hygiene at the £130-a-night hotel. The pilots filed Air Safety reports and provided samples to identify the source. BA is assessing hotel options in Hyderabad.
The airline said: “The welfare of our colleagues is a top priority and we are reviewing crew accommodation in this location following some isolated reports of sickness. During the flight one of our pilots became unwell. In line with established procedures, the aircraft continued safely to its destination and landed normally.” BA added: “The safety of our customers and crew is always our highest priority and at no point was the safety of the flight compromised.”
