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flydubai Image Credit: Supplied

Dubai: UAE-based carrier flydubai has terminated the employment of one of its pilots who was earlier suspected to be drunk prior to operating a flight.

A spokesperson confirmed on Wednesday that the airline had ended the contract of the staff for failing a pre-flight medical test.

The pilot was scheduled to operate flight FZ8018 from Kathmandu to Dubai last July 29 when he was suspected by a colleague to be inebriated. The flight was delayed for more than ten hours due to the incident.

A random test on the staff member in question was conducted and results showed that intoxication levels in the blood were above the legally acceptable limit.

"flydubai confirms that the pilot’s employment has been terminated. The safety of our passengers and crew is our priority," the airline said in a statement sent to Gulf News.