Pilot Tests Positive For Cocaine After Flying Planeload Of Passengers. Travelers Owed Up To $83,300

A Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) pilot tested positive for cocaine upon landing in Nice, France, after operating a scheduled flight carrying passengers. French authorities arrested the pilot, who subsequently received a suspended sentence and a flying ban across France.

The incident forced SAS to cancel the pilot's next scheduled flight, disrupting service for affected passengers. Under EU261 regulation, travelers enduring delays of three or more hours become eligible for compensation ranging from 250 to 400 euros, depending on flight distance. For the canceled connection that should have departed Nice, passengers could claim up to 83,300 Swedish kronor, approximately 7,900 euros or roughly $8,600 USD per person in the most severe cases. Some passengers on longer routes potentially qualified for the maximum EU261 payout of 600 euros ($650 USD) each.

This incident highlights the rigorous safety protocols airlines must maintain. Drug testing remains standard procedure for pilots in European aviation, triggered by specific circumstances including post-flight incidents or random checks. The suspension of the pilot's flying privileges across French airspace removes him from operations in one of Europe's busiest aviation hubs, affecting SAS's scheduling flexibility on Continental European routes.

For travelers booked on that canceled Nice departure, the compensation claim process begins with filing documentation through SAS or the applicable booking platform. EU261 requires airlines to pay compensation directly unless they prove extraordinary circumstances caused the disruption, which a pilot's positive drug test would not qualify as.

The case underscores how individual crew incidents can cascade into passenger disruptions and financial liability for carriers. SAS faced both immediate operational costs from cancellation and potential compensation payouts exceeding six figures. Travelers affected by this disruption should document their booking confirmations and flight cancellation notices to support EU261 claims against the airline.