ALBUQUERQUE N.M. New Mexico has banned US Airways from serving alcohol aboard all flights arriving or departing the state after learning the carrier did not have a state liquor license. The discovery came during an investigation into a fatal drunken driving crash that involved a passenger who reportedly was intoxicated aboard a US Airways flight to Albuquerque, the Associated Press reported.
"We're interpreting it to apply to all US Airways flights scheduled to arrive in or depart from New Mexico," said Ed Lopez, superintendent of the state's Regulation and Licensing Department. "They should not be selling alcohol while in New Mexico airspace."
Officials of the carrier received a cease-and-desist order from the state Jan. 29, and an airline spokeswoman said the airline would comply. According to Lopez, the US Airways has two weeks to notify state regulators it has stopped serving alcohol, and then it may apply for a liquor license. He added that all other major airlines operating in New Mexico are licensed.