Authorities have cleared an Air Berlin pilot who aborted his final landing at the last moment to make a low pass around a control tower.

The federal agency which oversees air safety in Germany concluded the manoeuvre in Dusseldorf in October did not break rules.

Videos showed the Airbus A330 from Miami, which had more than 200 people on board, swooping around the tower before landing safely.

Control tower staff can be heard in the footage reacting in astonishment as the plane flies past.

Air Berlin ceased to operate in October and parts of the company have been sold off to rival carriers.

At the time, the pilots of the aircraft were suspended by Air Berlin following the incident.

source: SkyNews