Pilot loses Savage sacking appeal

Cpt Pablo Mason said he was "crest-fallen" at the ruling

An airline pilot has lost his appeal against being sacked for allowing a footballer onto his flight deck.

Former Gulf War RAF pilot Pablo Mason was dismissed by Mytravel for breaking anti-terrorism rules on the private charter flight from Finland in August.

Capt Mason, of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, said he was trying to help Blackburn Rovers player Robbie Savage get over a fear of flying.

He admitted bending the rules, but denied putting the flight at risk.

The travel company has now upheld its decision, saying it followed various previous discussions with Capt Mason relating to security-related events.

Bombing missions

Capt Mason told the BBC he was "crestfallen" at the ruling and said he would be taking the matter to an industrial tribunal.

He had said he believed showing Savage, who also played for Birmingham City, Leicester City and Wales, how the aircraft worked would help his phobia.

Robbie Savage sent a letter to the authority explaining what happened

At the time of Capt Mason's sacking, a spokesman for Mytravel said the company had a "zero tolerance policy" towards anything that could endanger the safety of passengers and staff.

At that time, Blackburn Rovers also published a statement saying the club and Mr Savage had sent in a letter to the airline authorities explaining their versions of events.

Capt Mason, who is known for his trademark handlebar moustache, carried out 23 bombing missions over Iraq during the first Gulf War.

He later left the RAF and became a passenger airline pilot.

Last year Capt Mason began a fear of flying service for nervous passengers.