Drunk and stripped, a pilot roams aimlessly within a hotel bar.
In the early hours of August 5, 2025, an EasyJet pilot was suspended from duty following an incident at a hotel bar on the Cape Verde Islands. The pilot, who was scheduled to fly a return trip to Gatwick later that day, was seen drunk and naked, wandering through public areas of the Melia Dunas Beach Resort and Spa.
EasyJet took swift action, immediately grounding the pilot and relieving him of his duties, pending an internal investigation. Passengers who had been on the previous flight contacted the airline about the pilot's behaviour.
The airline emphasised that passenger and crew safety is their highest priority. A spokesperson confirmed that the pilot was relieved of his duties following the incident. No further details about the outcome of the investigation or the pilot’s employment status have been released publicly as of now.
The incident occurred on one of the ten islands that make up the Republic of Cape Verde, situated in the Atlantic off the west coast of Africa. It is worth noting that a flight from London to the Cape Verde Islands takes approximately six hours.
EasyJet's procedures for such situations include immediate relief of duty for the involved pilot, pending the outcome of an investigation. The airline's code of business ethics requires integrity in staff behaviour, and the pilot now faces a review for his conduct.
The EU's new luggage rules were not mentioned in the context of this incident.
The Republic of Cape Verde, consisting of ten islands, is a popular tourist destination. Despite this incident, EasyJet continues to operate flights to and from the islands, ensuring the safety and comfort of their passengers remains a top priority.
Entertainment news outlets and general-news channels have reported on the incident involving an EasyJet pilot who was suspended following an altercation at a hotel bar in Cape Verde, with crime-and-justice media outlets discussing the impact on passenger and crew safety. Despite the incident, EasyJet continues to operate flights to and from Cape Verde, emphasizing their commitment to maintaining safety and comfort for their passengers.