Japan Airlines Cuts Pay of Senior Executives Over Drunk Pilot Incident
Japan Airlines Executives Pay Cut
The Japan Airlines (JL) drinking incident occurred on December 1, 2024, when flight JL 774, scheduled to depart from Melbourne Airport (MEL) to Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT), was delayed for over three hours after two pilots failed alcohol breathalyzer tests.
Japan Airlines prohibits drinking within 12 hours of boarding, and this violation led to significant operational disruption and reputational damage.
In response, Japan Airlines announced that President Mitsuko Tottori and Chairperson Yuji Akasaka would receive a 30% salary reduction for two months.
Tottori expressed regret for the incident, acknowledging lapses in decision-making by senior directors.
She also revealed that Akasaka would be removed from his role as safety controller, highlighting the airline’s intention to strengthen oversight.
Three additional executives from the flight operations and safety management divisions were disciplined, emphasizing the company’s stance on shared accountability.
Similar Incident
Japan Airlines has faced similar issues in the past. In 2018, top executives, including Akasaka, took pay cuts of up to 20% over a pilot’s failure to meet alcohol regulations.
