A pilot on a Gatwick-bound flight was arrested on suspicion of being over the drink-drive limit minutes before he was due to fly.
The 48-year-old was set to pilot the Flybe plane from Newquay Airport in Cornwall to Gatwick on Wednesday morning.
However, police removed the man from the service and ordered him to do a breath test after a fellow crew member became concerned.
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: "A 48-year-old man from Crediton, Devon, was arrested on suspicion of being over the drink-drive limit.
"He was taken to Newquay Police Station.”
In a statement, Flybe said: "Flybe can confirm that one of its pilots volunteered to help the police with their inquiries at Newquay Airport.
"Flybe is not able to comment further while the police investigation is taking place."
Civil Aviation Authority regulations state the flying limit is 20 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The UK drink drive limit is 80 milligrammes per 100 millilitres.
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