Ryanair has sacked the chief pilot of its main Irish-registered operation after an investigation found a “repeated pattern of inappropriate and unacceptable behavior” targeting junior female pilots.
A senior company insider said a notice had been emailed to staff at Ryanair DAC, which operates the airline’s Irish-registered planes, informing them that its chief pilot had been sacked on Tuesday night.
The note, seen by the Financial Times, was signed by Ryanair’s chief people officer, Darrell Hughes, but did not name the people being fired.
Ryanair DAC Chief Pilot for the past three years has been Aidan Murray. Murray could not immediately be reached for comment.
“This decision follows an investigation in recent days that found repeated inappropriate and unacceptable behavior toward some junior female pilots, which violated our harassment policy,” the note read. “We are determined to ensure that all of our employees work in a safe and secure environment.”
It asks recipients to respect the privacy of “the brave women who have come forward to assist our investigation.”
An airline’s chief pilot, who rarely flies, oversees the application of new safety rules, promotions and other organizational issues.
Ryanair insiders with direct knowledge of the investigation said it was sparked by an anonymous tip-off that the company found that the chief pilot had sent inappropriate sexting messages to seven junior female pilots, aged between 21 and 32. were asked to send him explicit photos of themselves, while some changed rosters to fly with him.
Around 40% of Ryanair’s operations – including all operations with aircraft based in Ireland, the UK, Spain and Portugal – use aircraft belonging to Ryanair DAC.
In this case, no one was arrested and no one was charged with criminal wrongdoing.
Ryanair said it would not comment on inquiries related to individual employees.
Insiders said the company had checked with the women involved to see if they had received similar methods from other senior male employees, and none had reported any such issues.
The chief pilot had seven days to appeal after being fired on Tuesday.
The Irish Aviation Authority said it would not comment on communications with “regulated entities”.