High flier: Bruce Dickinson is a fully-qualified pilot

Dickinson, a qualified pilot, was captain of the specially-chartered Monarch Airlines jet which flew them from Sharm el Sheikh to Gatwick Airport.

The 50-year-old, who flies the legendary Iron Maiden around on tour, also works as a pilot in his spare time.

He said he was delighted to have been able to help the stricken British travellers.

“It ’s obviously very stressful being stuck in a foreign country and not knowing 100 percent what’s going on.

“It’s probably even difficult even for reps of the company to find out 100 percent what’s going on.”

Dickinson is employed as a part-time captain by charter airline Astraeus who supplied him to Monarch.

He was taught to fly by senior British Airways pilot Phil Dales.