A senior pilot with the airline Ryanair resigned yesterday after allowing two cabin crew staff to fly from Spain seated in the lavatories in breach of aviation regulations. The captain, who had 30 years' flying experience, let the off-duty crew members fly from Girona to Dublin even though the flight was fully booked.

A senior pilot with the airline Ryanair resigned yesterday after allowing two cabin crew staff to fly from Spain seated in the lavatories in breach of aviation regulations. The captain, who had 30 years' flying experience, let the off-duty crew members fly from Girona to Dublin even though the flight was fully booked.

Both cabin crew, who were said to be experienced members of staff, were sacked after refusing to resign, the airline said.

A Ryanair spokesman said the cabin crew staff were returning from a week's holiday in Barcelona. "The two cabin crew, who were senior No1's and therefore fully aware of our seating and boarding regulations, have refused an offer to resign and have been dismissed," the spokesman said. The captain was aware of the incident and that it was in breach of operating procedures.

Ryanair said it had investigated the incident and co-operated fully with the Irish Aviation Authority. The spokesman added that this was the first time staff had travelled on an already fully booked flight in the 20-year history of Ryanair.

A spokeswoman for the Irish Aviation Authority said a full investigation had been under way for a number of days.