New Mexico Denies Liquor License to US Airways
November 20th, 2007 Posted by: Dr. Cox
New Mexico officials denied a liquor license to US Airways after witnesses said they saw flight attendants serving alcohol to a visibly intoxicated passenger, the Albuquerque Journal reported Nov. 17.
The alleged incident occurred on the eve of the one-year anniversary of a horrific car crash involving a drunk US Airways passenger who killed six people. The driver, Dana Papst, was drinking on the flight before landing and getting behind the wheel of his car.
Edward Lopez, superintendent of the states’ regulation and licensing department, said the agency denied the license because it could not ensure that US Airways “would protect the public health and safety of New Mexico.”
US Airways had received a 90-day temporary license in March, but it has now expired. While operating under the temporary license, US Airways was cited for overserving another passenger, Ernest Wright, who was later arrested for DUI and found to have a blood-alcohol level twice the legal limit.