Ukraine Insists on Additional Hearing of Pilots’ Case in Norway

KYIV. Jan 10 (Interfax) – Ukraine has appealed for an additional hearing in the case of the Ukrainian pilots who were detained in Bergen (Norway) and sentenced to four weeks of imprisonment for drinking before a flight.

“We have filed an appeal for an additional hearing of this case to be held on January 12,” the first deputy chief of the State Aviation Administration Oleksandr Lisnyak told a press conference in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Konstantin Lushakov, the executive director of Antonov Airlines, said the appeal was filed over Norway’s improper detention of the Ukrainian crew. He said it is the responsibility of the crew commander to decide whether the crew is ready and capable to operate a flight, as well as to report on the unsatisfactory condition of any pilots or technical support group members.

Lushakov also said the incident would damage the image and reputation of the airline. “The company will suffer,” he said, adding that it has already sustained losses.

He said the company had sent another team to Bergen to replace the detained crew. At the same time, Lushakov did not rule out that the customer might impose a penalty for cargo delay.

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