Passenger flies plane after on-duty pilot doesn't show up

A British father was among frustrated easyJet holidaymakers stuck on the tarmac at Manchester Airport after the plane's pilot didn't show up. Despite being off-duty, Michael Bradley offered to help and flew the plane to Alicante, Spain himself.
According to reports in Mirror, Bradley was on a holiday with his wife and young son, and was also a pilot with easyJet himself. So when the plane's pilot did not show up on Sunday, the off-duty pilot called up his bosses and offered to fly the plane to Spain.
"I phoned up easyJet and said I'm standing in the terminal doing nothing. I have got my ID with me and I'd very much like to go on holiday and if you need a favour I'm standing here ready to go," Bradley said. Just 38 seconds later, easyJet called back and gave a nod allowing Bradley to fly the plane.
A spokesman for easyJet said the flight's delay was "due to the effects of the French ATC failure on Sunday". "We are grateful to one of our pilots who was travelling on holiday from Manchester to Alicante on September 2. This meant customers could get to their destination and shows the commitment and dedication of our crew," the spokesman said.
However, he clarified that the permission to let Bradley fly was in line with regulations. "This is fully in line with regulations as he had his licence and ID with him. Safety is always our highest priority," spokesman added.