Argentinian pilots sacked after letting Playboy model into cockpit to fly passenger plane

Two Argentinian pilots have been sacked after they let a Playboy model into the cockpit to fly their passenger plane.

Patricio Zocchi Molina and Federico Matias Soaje were dismissed by Argentinian airline Austral after they gave Viky Xipolitakis control of their jet.

The trio posed for a selfie as the plane travelled from Buenos Aires to Rosario last week.

Ms Xipolitakis, 29, who has appeared in the Greek edition of Playboy, also took several videos of the group's antics which have since been leaked on to YouTube.

The plane's 36 passengers are now reported to be considering legal action against the airline after the pilots allegedly put their lives in danger, according to Fox News Latino.

At least one other member of airline staff is believed to have been sacked after the incident on June 22.

In a statement, Austral confirmed the pilots, along with "the rest of the staff with responsibility in this event", had lost their jobs.

Ms Xipolitakis was also banned from flying with the airline for five years. She has since apologised for the stunt in a message on her official Twitter feed.

An Austral spokesman said: "In relation to the events that took place during the Austral flight 2708 on Monday June 22, Aerolineas Argentinas and Austral state that the pilots Patricio Zocchi Molina and Federico Matias Soaje were removed from their activities on this day and will be dismissed as well as the rest of the staff with responsibility in this event.

"The passenger will be prevented from flying for five years on Aerolineas and Austral flights by virtue of the right of admission available to the company."