Jet Airways pilots sacked after 'mid-air fight in cockpit of passenger plane from London'

Two pilots have been sacked for allegedly having a mid-air fight inside the cockpit of a plane flying from London.

The pair, reported to be in a relationship, are said to have brawled during a Jet Airways flight to India on New Year's Day.

During the fracas, the male pilot allegedly slapped his female colleague who then apparently fled the cockpit in tears while the plane was in the air with 324 passengers on board.

She had to be persuaded to go back into the cockpit by cabin crew, and the plane eventually landed safely at its destination of Mumbai.

A Jet Airways spokesman confirmed the pilots had now been fired after the incident on flight 9W 119 from Heathrow.

The airline told the BBC that it had "zero tolerance for any action of its employees that compromises safety".

"At Jet Airways, safety of guests, crew and assets is of paramount importance."

The pair involved are said to have been flying together for many years.

A source told the Indian Express: "The cabin crew persuaded her to go back to the cockpit but she refused. Following this, the male pilot came out of the cockpit, leaving the operations to the care of a cabin crew (which is a violation of flight safety norms) and persuaded her to return to the cockpit.”

The Evening Standard has contacted Jet Airways for comment.