Vigo, Spain  - A captain and co-pilot of the Spanish carrier Air Europa fought in front of their hotel in a state of drunkenness five hours before they were due to fly together, the newspaper Faro de Vigo reported Monday.

Police separated the two men, dressed in uniforms of the airline, who were beating each other up early Sunday in the north-western city of Vigo.

Air Europa suspended the pilots from service and launched an investigation into the incident.

Passengers en route from Vigo to Madrid had to wait for three hours while the crew of their plane was being replaced. (dpa)