Andrew Juma, DigitalWorldwideNews.com, Cape Verde
August 11, 2025
An EasyJet captain has been suspended after being seen “reeking of alcohol” and wandering naked through a luxury hotel in Cape Verde, raising serious concerns about airline safety protocols.
The incident, reported by the BBC, occurred at the Melia Dunas Beach Resort and Spa, where the unnamed pilot was witnessed roaming common areas of the five-star resort without clothes in the early hours of August 5, following a prolonged drinking session. EasyJet acted swiftly, grounding the pilot after guest complaints, and now faces scrutiny over crew conduct as the captain awaits investigation.
On August 4, 2025, the EasyJet captain arrived at the Melia Dunas Beach Resort and Spa in Cape Verde, a West African island nation, and began drinking at the hotel bar. According to The Sun, by 2:30 a.m. local time (4:30 a.m. BST) on August 5, the pilot stripped naked and wandered through the hotel’s reception, gym, and spa areas. An anonymous airline source told The Sun, “The pilot did not have a stitch on and reeked of alcohol.” Guests, alarmed by his behavior, reported the incident to EasyJet, leading to his immediate removal from a scheduled flight.
EasyJet grounded the pilot as soon as complaints were received, replacing him for a 2,332-nautical-mile flight to Gatwick planned for August 6. An airline spokesperson told the BBC, “As soon as we were made aware, the pilot was immediately stood down from duty, in line with our procedures, pending an investigation. The safety of our passengers and crew is EasyJet’s highest priority.” The airline’s code of business ethics emphasizes integrity in dealings with customers, staff, and communities, and the pilot now faces a formal investigation that could impact his career.
The pilot, whose identity remains undisclosed, is a captain with EasyJet, responsible for operating long-haul flights, including the six-hour route from Cape Verde to Gatwick. Witnesses described him as visibly intoxicated, with one source noting to The Sun, “Anyone who saw the pilot cavorting naked in the early hours on the day before a flight would not dream of getting on a plane with him at the controls.” No further personal details about the pilot have been made public by EasyJet or other sources.
The incident sparked significant concern on platforms like X, where users debated the implications for passenger safety and airline oversight. Some posts criticized EasyJet’s monitoring of crew behavior during layovers, while others expressed relief at the airline’s quick response. Aviation experts noted that, although the incident occurred over 36 hours before the flight, well outside the UK’s eight-hour “bottle-to-throttle” rule, the public nature of the pilot’s actions undermines trust. The UK Civil Aviation Authority has not commented directly but enforces strict sobriety regulations for aircrew.
This case echoes other recent aviation misconduct incidents. In 2024, a Ryanair pilot was suspended for intoxication before a flight from Dublin, and in 2025, a Southwest Airlines pilot faced arrest in the U.S. for similar reasons. EasyJet itself has dealt with prior incidents, including a 2023 case involving a pilot’s inappropriate behavior during a layover. These events highlight ongoing challenges in ensuring professional conduct during off-duty periods, particularly in leisure destinations like Cape Verde.
Airlines operate under strict safety regulations, but overseeing off-duty behavior during layovers remains a challenge. Pilots, often stationed in foreign resorts for extended periods, face high-stress roles that can lead to lapses in judgment. The Cape Verde incident underscores the need for tighter monitoring during downtime, as public perception of pilot conduct directly impacts trust in airlines. EasyJet’s prompt action demonstrates a commitment to accountability, but restoring passenger confidence may require stronger preventive measures.
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