Japan Airlines (JAL) President and Chief Executive Officer Mitsuko Tottori has voluntarily accepted a 30% pay cut for two months following an incident involving two cabin crew members who violated the airline's alcohol policy and caused a flight delay, placing leadership accountability at the centre of the carrier's response.
The move comes after an internal investigation into a May 23 incident on a domestic flight from Hiroshima to Tokyo Haneda. According to details released by the airline and widely reported by Japanese and international media, two cabin attendants consumed alcohol during a layover despite company rules prohibiting drinking within 12 hours of flight duty.
The incident subsequently delayed a scheduled flight and prompted disciplinary measures against the employees involved, alongside broader policy changes across the airline.
The incident occurred on Flight JL252 operating between Hiroshima and Tokyo Haneda Airport.
According to reports, two cabin crew members drank alcohol at a hotel lounge during their layover and continued consuming alcoholic beverages beyond the airline's mandated 12-hour pre-duty restriction.
One of the employees, serving as the chief cabin attendant, later failed a breathalyser test conducted before the flight.
As a result, the airline was forced to arrange a replacement crew member before departure.
Passengers experienced a delay of approximately 40 minutes while operational arrangements were completed.
The matter escalated after investigators found attempts to conceal the violation.
According to reports, one crew member initially reported being unfit for duty due to illness. Subsequent investigations determined that misleading information had been provided during the airline's internal review process.
Following the investigation, Japan Airlines dismissed the chief cabin attendant involved in the incident.
The airline also initiated a broader examination of alcohol compliance procedures and crew conduct policies.
Tottori's decision to reduce her salary has attracted attention because executive pay reductions remain relatively uncommon responses to operational misconduct involving frontline employees.
According to the airline, the voluntary pay cut will remain in effect for the next two months.
Other senior officials are also facing compensation reductions, including executives responsible for safety oversight and cabin services management.
The latest reduction marks the third occasion within the past year that Tottori has accepted a similar 30% salary cut following alcohol-related incidents involving airline personnel.
Alongside disciplinary actions, Japan Airlines announced new measures aimed at strengthening operational safety and compliance.
Key actions include:
• A complete ban on alcohol consumption during work layovers for approximately 6,000 cabin crew members
• Expanded monitoring of alcohol compliance requirements
• Internal reviews of reporting and oversight procedures
• Additional measures designed to strengthen operational safety standards
According to reports, Japan's transport ministry also issued a formal reprimand and instructed the airline to implement stronger safety measures by July.
Tottori became Japan Airlines' first female chief executive after building her career within the airline as a cabin crew member before moving into management.
Her background as a former flight attendant has drawn additional attention to her response, with the decision viewed as a leadership measure intended to reinforce accountability across all levels of the organisation.
The incident has also renewed focus on the aviation industry's strict alcohol policies, which are designed to ensure crew members remain fit to perform safety-critical responsibilities.
Airlines globally maintain stringent restrictions because even limited alcohol consumption can affect judgement, reaction times and decision-making capabilities.
The episode highlights the challenges airlines face in maintaining strict compliance with operational safety requirements while protecting public confidence.
For Japan Airlines, the response has combined disciplinary action, executive accountability and policy changes aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.
As regulators continue monitoring the airline's corrective measures, the effectiveness of the new alcohol restrictions and strengthened oversight processes will remain closely watched by both industry observers and aviation authorities.
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