Pilots suspended after allowing young boy to ‘fly’ passenger plane

Two airline pilots have been suspended by Algeria's national airline for allowing a young boy to 'fly' a commercial passenger plane.

Air Algérie have grounded two of their pilots after a video emerged showing a 10-year-old boy operating the cockpit controls on a commercial passenger flight. Algerian television channel El Bilad broadcast a video of the boy, whose ambition is to become a pilot, sitting in the pilot's seat handling the plane's controls. Local news reports have stated that the orphaned youngster was invited into the cockpit as part of a scheme by a children's charity. The video shows the boy wearing a pilot's hat, tie and waistcoat, pushing various buttons and 'flying' the plane under the supervision of both the first officer and the captain. Prior to the flight, between Algiers International Airport and Seif Regional Airport, the 10-year-old was said to have been treated to a tour of the plane and its exterior. Air Algérie have now grounded both pilots while they investigate the incident.