Tokyo

An All Nippon Airways pilot flew a plane on Tuesday without carrying his pilot’s license as required, the Japanese airline has said.

One flight was cancelled and another flight was delayed due to the problem.

According to ANA, the pilot in his 60s went on duty aboard ANA Flight 259 bound for the southwestern Japan city of Fukuoka from Tokyo International Airport at Haneda at 3 p.m. (6 a.m. GMT). The flight carried 217 passengers.

He became aware during the flight that he was not carrying his pilot’s license with him, and reported the fact to the airline. He left the license at home, according to ANA.

Pilots and copilots are required to mutually check whether they are carrying their licenses with them before flights. ANA is investigating whether such a procedure was taken before the flight in question.

The pilot in question was to board ANA Flight 428 from Fukuoka Airport to Osaka International Airport, also known as Itami Airport, in western Japan. But the flight, for which 129 seats were reserved, was cancelled as the pilot did not bring his license with him.

ANA Flight 739 bound for the northeastern Japan city of Sendai from Itami Airport was delayed as the airline had to find a substitute pilot. It carried 93 passengers.

Jiji Press