The Cathay Pacific crews whose photos were being circulated online -- allegedly showing a stewardess and pilot engaging in oral sex aboard a Cathay Pacific plane -- have been sacked from their jobs.

According to an AFP report, the couple caught in the photos have left the company.

The Hong Kong carrier launched an investigation last week after photos emerged of a woman in a red outfit resembling the Cathay cabin crew uniform performing oral sex on a man, reportedly her boyfriend, on board an aircraft.

Cathay chief executive John Slosar said in a statement released late on Friday (Aug 12).

"I can confirm that two members of our crew shown in compromising situations in photographs published recently in Chinese-language daily newspapers are no longer employees of the company.

"I know that many people were disturbed by the damage this incident caused to the reputation of our cockpit and cabin crews."

In an earlier post, a spokeswoman from the Hong Kong carrier told AFP:

"We are conducting a full investigation into the matter and there are some indications that the female shown in the photos may be a member of our cabin crew.

"Our investigations are continuing and we have nothing further to add at this stage," she said, without commenting on the identity of the man, whose clothing in the published photo did not appear to be Cathay pilot uniform.

"There is no evidence whatsoever to suggest that the act took place during a flight, and there are no reasons to believe that any safety breaches have occurred."

STOMPer Thankful said:

"Thankfully they're taking this matter seriously.

"Can you just imagine yourself in the plane while this is happening?

"Utterly disgusting!"