Holidaymakers staying at the five-star Melia Dunas Beach Resort and Spa in Cape Verde on August 4, 2025, witnessed an incident that quickly rippled across the aviation industry and made headlines throughout the UK. According to multiple reports, including coverage by The Sun, an easyJet pilot—scheduled to fly a crucial return leg to Gatwick—was suspended after allegedly wandering the luxury hotel's premises drunk and naked in the early hours of August 5.
The pilot, whose identity has not been disclosed, had arrived at the resort on August 4. Eyewitnesses say he began his evening at the hotel bar, where a drinking session stretched well into the early morning. By 2:30 AM, the situation escalated dramatically. Onlookers described seeing the captain remove all his clothes and parade through the reception area before moving on to the gym and spa. The spectacle, shocking even by the standards of a holiday destination, left staff and guests stunned and prompted immediate concern, especially given the pilot's scheduled duties.
According to The Sun, the pilot was due to operate a flight back to Gatwick—the airline's longest route from England, covering 2,332 nautical miles—on the afternoon of August 6, roughly 36 hours after the incident. The flight, which typically lasts around six hours, was meant to return a plane full of holidaymakers to the UK. Once the airline was alerted to the events at the hotel, swift action followed. A replacement pilot was sourced, and the original captain was suspended pending a full investigation.
In a statement to the press, an easyJet spokesperson emphasized, "As soon as we were made aware, the pilot was immediately stood down from duty, in line with our procedures, pending an investigation. The safety of our passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority." The airline’s prompt response was designed to reassure both the public and the passengers affected by the sudden change in crew.
The Melia Dunas Beach Resort and Spa, where the incident unfolded, is renowned for its luxury accommodations, with rooms reportedly costing up to £1,569 per week. The resort is a popular destination for British tourists seeking sun and relaxation off the coast of West Africa. Yet, on this occasion, the tranquil setting became the center of an international news story.
For easyJet, the episode posed a significant test of its crisis management protocols. With the pilot scheduled to fly a major route, ensuring the safety and confidence of passengers was paramount. The airline's decision to suspend the pilot and assign a replacement before the scheduled departure was met with relief by many travelers and industry observers alike. The incident also raised broader questions about pilot conduct while off duty and the systems airlines have in place to monitor staff behavior during layovers.
Industry experts note that while pilots are entitled to downtime between flights—especially on long-haul routes like Gatwick to Cape Verde—airlines maintain strict guidelines regarding alcohol consumption and professional conduct. The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in the UK, for example, enforces rigorous rules about alcohol limits for flight crew, both on and off duty. Any breach, particularly one as public and egregious as this, is taken extremely seriously.
According to reporting from The Sun and corroborated by other outlets, onlookers at the resort quickly recognized the man as an easyJet captain, raising the alarm with hotel management and, subsequently, the airline. The swift action taken by easyJet prevented what could have been a public relations disaster and, more importantly, a potential safety issue had the pilot been allowed to operate the scheduled flight.
While incidents involving pilots and alcohol are rare, they are not unheard of. The aviation industry has, over the years, introduced increasingly stringent measures to detect and deter substance abuse among crew members. Random breathalyzer tests, mandatory reporting by colleagues, and clear disciplinary procedures are now standard across most major airlines. In this case, the combination of public visibility and rapid reporting ensured that the pilot was removed from duty well before he could pose a risk to passengers.
For passengers scheduled to fly from Cape Verde to Gatwick on August 6, the disruption was inconvenient but ultimately reassuring. EasyJet’s ability to find a replacement pilot and maintain the integrity of its flight schedule underscored the airline’s commitment to operational safety. The episode also served as a reminder of the unseen challenges airlines face in managing crew conduct, especially on remote or extended layovers.
The story has prompted discussion within the aviation community about the pressures pilots face and the importance of robust support systems. While the vast majority of pilots uphold the highest standards of professionalism, the incident in Cape Verde highlights the potential consequences when those standards are breached. It also reinforces the need for vigilance—not only among flight crew but also among colleagues, hotel staff, and the traveling public.
As the investigation into the pilot’s conduct continues, easyJet has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy regarding alcohol and unprofessional behavior. "The safety of our passengers and crew is easyJet’s highest priority," the airline reiterated in its public statements. The outcome of the inquiry will likely determine the pilot’s future with the company and could prompt further tightening of crew protocols across the industry.
In the meantime, the story stands as a cautionary tale for airlines, pilots, and travelers alike. It’s a vivid reminder that, even in the most idyllic settings, professionalism and accountability remain essential—especially when hundreds of lives depend on the decisions made both in and out of the cockpit.
With easyJet’s rapid response averting a potentially dangerous situation, the focus now shifts to ensuring such incidents remain exceedingly rare. The lessons learned in Cape Verde will no doubt echo throughout the industry for some time.