Gavin Henson has apologised for drinking and "behaving inappropriately" on a flight from Glasgow to Cardiff and admits he is "truly embarrassed" by the incident.
The 30-year-old Cardiff Blues player was suspended after an incident on a flight from Glasgow back to the Welsh capital on Friday night.
Henson issued a statement today and said: "I would like to publicly apologise for drinking on that flight, which is inappropriate behaviour."
A Cardiff Blues spokesman said he was suspended "with immediate effect" following the incident, while Flybe launched an investigation into the incident.
Henson's statement today read: "I am releasing this statement in relation to the press reports and the fact that I have been suspended by the Cardiff Blues for drinking on a flight returning to Cardiff from Glasgow on Saturday 31st March.
"I would like to publicly apologise for drinking on that flight which is inappropriate behaviour.
"I admit I had been out drinking in Glasgow on the Friday night following our game against Glasgow Warriors and had stupidly carried on drinking on the flight, for which I am truly embarrassed about.
"I can see that drinking and behaving inappropriately on that flight as a professional sportsman at 7am has caused offence to members of the public, the Flybe Airline staff and passengers.
"I know that I have let my team-mates, coaches, management, sponsors and indeed my family down with my actions. Drinking on that plane was inexcusable and I know that I must take responsibility for it.
"I also accept that in the light of this I need to learn from it and ensure this does not happen again.
"I am prepared to co-operate 100% with the Cardiff Blues wishes and will do everything that I need to do in order to make amends and enable the Blues to focus on our biggest game of the season next weekend.
"I remain fully focused and committed to Cardiff Blues and I hope they can accept my apology."
The 30-year-old who has won 34 caps for his country, will find out tomorrow whether he has an immediate future with the region.
A club spokesman said: "The Cardiff Blues management team will meet first thing Monday morning to discuss the matter further."
Past Henson controversies:
October 2005: Henson releases a book entitled 'My Grand Slam Year' chronicling Wales' RBS 6 Nations success and his experiences on the Lions tour of New Zealand. Comments about other players and life in the Wales camp mean he is forced to apologise in front of his team-mates.
December 19 2005: Henson is cited for elbowing Leicester prop Alex Moreno in a Heineken Cup game between the two sides, Henson is initially banned for 10 weeks and two days, which is reduced to seven weeks on appeal.
December 10 2007: Henson is charged with disorderly conduct over his behaviour on a train after helping Ospreys beat Harlequins in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. The case is later dropped.
April 18 2011: Having left the Ospreys for Saracens and then moved on to Toulon, things appear to be looking up for Henson when he scores a try on his debut for the French club. But after his second appearance against Toulouse he is involved in an altercation with two team-mates in a nightclub and is suspended for a week.
March 31, 2012: Henson is suspended by Cardiff Blues following an incident on the flight back from Scotland after their match against Glasgow Warriors the previous night. He later apologises for drinking and "behaving inappropriately".
