EasyJet has suspended one of its captains after he was reportedly seen roaming a luxury hotel drunk and naked. The incident took place at the Melia Dunas Beach Resort and Spa in Cape Verde, where the unnamed pilot arrived on 4 August and began drinking heavily. According to reports, at around 2:30 am local time on 5 August, he stripped off and wandered through common areas including the reception, gym, and spa, reeking of alcohol. Witnesses described the scene as shocking, with one source saying that no passenger would feel safe boarding a flight with him in control.

The pilot was scheduled to operate a return flight to Gatwick more than 36 hours later, on the afternoon of 6 August. However, EasyJet received complaints about his behaviour, immediately grounded him, and found a replacement pilot for the 2,332 nautical mile journey. A spokesman for the airline confirmed that the captain had been stood down in line with company procedures pending a full investigation.

EasyJet emphasised that the safety of its passengers and crew remains its highest priority. The airline’s code of business ethics requires staff to behave with integrity towards colleagues, customers, partners, and the communities in which it operates, a standard the pilot is now accused of falling far short of.