Ryanair fires chief pilot over sexual harassment allegations

 Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline by passenger numbers, has dismissed its chief pilot following an internal investigation which identified “a pattern of repeated inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour” towards a number of female junior pilots.

The chief pilot, named in reports as Aidan Murray, 58, was appointed to the Irish airline in 2020. He allegedly harassed nine junior colleagues, including sending text messages to some with comments on their bodies. He is also accused of altering flight rosters to fly with certain female pilots.

In a note to staff, Ryanair’s chief people officer, Darrell Hughes, said Mr Murray’s employment had been “terminated with immediate effect” on Tuesday evening. He said Mr Murray’s behaviour “was in breach of our anti-harassment policy” and that staff should be able to come to work "in a safe and secure environment".

“We would ask all of you to respect the privacy and integrity of those brave individuals who came forward to assist us in this investigation,” Mr Hughes added.

Ryanair declined to comment "on queries relating to individual employees". The BBC has attempted to contact Mr Murray for comment. The Financial Times reported that Mr Murray has seven days to launch an appeal against his dismissal.

The job of chief pilot is an important one. The holder is both a highly qualified airline captain and a manager, responsible for overseeing other pilots based at a hub airport. They are usually in charge of issues such as training, flight coordination and rostering as well as addressing personal issues. They can also represent the airline in disciplinary issues.

The suggestion that someone in this position might be abusing their power - and behaving in an “inappropriate and unacceptable” way towards female staff - is therefore a very serious charge.

A report last year by the Royal Aeronautical Society into discrimination and lack of diversity in airline pilot training found “extremely concerning” reports of sexism and sexual harassment by many female pilots. Although many had positive comments on their training, reports of sexism and harassment ranged from “banter” to "uncomfortable advances from male trainers"