A British Airways pilot has been suspended following accusations that he drunkenly assaulted three female crew members during a stopover in Johannesburg, South Africa. The incident reportedly occurred after an argument with his 25-year-old girlfriend, who had traveled with him on a discounted ticket from London.

The pilot, a married man in his 50s, is said to have returned to the crew hotel after the dispute, where he confronted three colleagues in the hotel bar: a cabin manager, a first-class stewardess, and an in-flight lead. Witnesses claim the pilot was extremely intoxicated, leading hotel security to intervene and escort him to his room as he was too drunk to stand.

The situation worsened when the crew refused to operate the return flight if the pilot was in the cockpit, prompting British Airways to fly him back to the UK as a passenger on a different flight. The pilot, a father of two, has since been suspended while the airline investigates the matter.

British Airways has yet to release an official statement, but it’s reported that there is growing concern within the company over incidents of unruly behavior among staff during stopovers.

This incident highlights the challenges airlines face in maintaining professionalism and safety among crew members, even during downtime between flights. As the investigation continues, many will be watching closely to see how British Airways handles this situation and whether any new policies will be introduced to address such issues in the future.