Jet Airways fires pilots over 'cockpit fight'

Private Indian airline, Jet Airways, has fired two pilots who allegedly fought inside the cockpit of a London-Mumbai flight last week.

The private Indian airline said in a statement that it had "terminated services of both the cockpit crew with immediate effect".

The pilots involved - a man and a woman - were taken off flight duties pending an investigation.

The alleged fight occurred mid-air on 1 January. The flight carrying 324 passengers landed safely in Mumbai.

According to Indian media reports which quoted witnesses, the incident occurred after the male pilot allegedly slapped the female pilot. The woman left the cockpit in tears, but colleagues eventually persuaded her to go back, reports BBC.

An official at India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that the pilot had also left the cockpit unattended twice during the incident, breaking safety regulations.