The Netherlands is in diplomatic discussions with Russia about the European country's assertion that Moscow bears legal responsibility for its role in the 2014 downing of a passenger jet over Ukraine, the Dutch foreign minister said Thursday. Foreign Minister Stef Blok said the initial diplomatic contacts were aimed at paving the way for formal talks and conducted in "a positive atmosphere." He said it was too early to say where and when formal talks might take place. "There are diplomatic contacts to see if we can begin formal talks about national responsibility for shooting down MH17," Blok told Dutch reporters. The Netherlands and Australia said last year they held Russia legally responsible for providing the missile that brought down Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over conflict-ravaged eastern Ukraine. <br/>
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British Airways’ stated commitment to recruiting more female pilots has been called into question after it emerged that the flag carrier offers only a “scandalous” six weeks’ maternity pay to its staff. Although BA has launched a recruitment drive to get more women in the cockpit for its centenary year, and employs about 300 female pilots, any who become pregnant face a 90% pay cut. This leads some to choose between financial hardship or terminations, according to unions. The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa) said the current level of maternity pay across the aviation industry was a scandal and an obstacle to women joining the profession. Pilots are often the sole or main earner in families, it said, while younger pilots may still be paying off training costs which can typically exceed GBP100,000. Lilian Greenwood, the chair of the Commons transport select committee, said BA needed to do better, adding that there was a big difference between observing the legal minimum and standard practice. She said: “BA is better than the average for female pilot recruitment, but a long way from where it should be. If they are serious about change and improving that balance they have do better – not just professional development but supporting women during their career, if they want to combine that with being a mother.”<br/>
An American Airlines flight bound for Philadelphia was canceled after one of the pilots was arrested on suspicion of alcohol intoxication. The airline confirmed to USA TODAY that the incident involved "a member of its crew at Manchester Airport" in England Thursday. The name of the pilot has not released. "The employee was detained and the flight, AA735 to Philadelphia, has been cancelled," an airline statement said. "We have rebooked (passengers) on alternative flights." Greater Manchester Police said that they followed up on reports that a pilot may be under the influence: "Officers attended and a 62-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of performing an aviation function when over the prescribed limit of alcohol." "He has since been bailed pending further inquiries," authorities said. American Airlines apologized to customers for the delay, adding that "safety is our highest priority." <br/>