Pilots fired after model flies plane

Two pilots from Austral Airlines have been fired for allowing a model to sit in the cockpit, take selfies and even fly the plane.

Victoria Xipolitakis, a 29-year-old Argentinian actress who has posed for the Greek edition of Playboy magazine, was filmed flying the aircraft leaving Buenos Aires Airport for Rosario, Santa Fe. Pilot Patricio Zocchi and co-pilot Federico Soaje have since been fired from the airline citing gross misconduct and a breach of international law by allowing an unauthorised person into the cabin.

The actress documented the entire experience on Twitter, including a video and pictures of herself operating the aircraft during take-off.

Mariano Recalde, President of Aerolíneas Argentinas, the owner of Austral, has since issued a statement vowing to “act firmly” and swiftly. He said: “These are responsibilities that have put lives at risk. As soon as we became aware of the situation, we dismissed the pilots.