Alcohol Banned on US Airways Flights to and from New Mexico

New Mexico has decided not to renew the temporary liquor license it had issued to US Airways, reports the Associated Press.

US Airways had been given a temporary 90-day liquor license by the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department after a serious accident involving a passenger that had traveled with US Airways.

The incident took place last November and involved a man that became drunk during a flight to New Mexico. The flight staff continued to serve the man alcohol even though the man was intoxicated. After landing and driving home, the man was involved in a fatal car crash where he and five other people were killed.

After the tragic accident occurred it was discovered that US Airways were breaking New Mexico law as they did not have a license to sell liquor from the state. Normally the first offensive for breaking this law results in a fine of up to $2,000. When the airline was discovered to not hold a New Mexico liquor license they made an application and were given a temporary one for 90 days. However, the state has now decided that it will not extend US Airway's liquor license.

As a result of New Mexico's decision US Airways will not be serving passengers alcohol on any flights into our out of New Mexico as of today.

When speaking with the Associated Press the New Mexico Regulation and Licensing Department said, "US Airways had done little, if anything, to consider implementing the state's required alcohol server training to identify alcohol-impaired or intoxicated passengers."

Even though a spokesperson for US Airways, Andrea Rader, told the Associated Press,"We understand that this is a very serious problem in New Mexico, and we want to do the right thing", a lawyer for the airline seeming to think that the denial of a license extension came to early. According to a US Airways lawyer that Airline did want to follow the requirement to provide their staff with the appropriate training and were hoping to discuss training materials and the liquor licence with New Mexico officials.

Rader also said when speaking with the Arizona Republic, "Frankly we're kind of surprised. We notified them this morning that we would be sending over material to show them what we planned to do."

However, it appears as if the airline is not taking action fast enough to ensure the proper liquor controls are in place. Besides not yet implementing the required staff training, another passenger that was driving after being on a US Airways flight was arrested for driving under the influence in May. The New Mexico court reviewing the case said that US Airways, "delayed the implementation of a program for dispensing alcohol, created by the University of New Mexico, as part of a statewide crackdown on drunken driving,"

US Airways feel that they were following the regulations set out by New Mexico, according to the Arizona Republic a representative for the airline said, "We think we did comply with what they were asking for."

Sources
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/0614biz-usairways0614.html
http://consumerist.com/consumer/drunks-on-a-plane/us-airways-denied-new-mexico-liquor-license-for-not-paying-outstanding-fine-268848.php
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/06/14/business/main2929416.shtml