Court lifts jail threat over Ryanair

The High Court today lifted the threat of jail from Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary and two senior executives.

Pilot John Goss had brought a complaint of contempt of court, but this week reached a settlement with the airline.

Ryanair welcomed today's development.

"Mr Justice White’s finding this morning confirmed that Ryanair and its management were not in contempt of court in standing Captain Goss down," the airline said.

Ryanair’s Director of Flight and Ground Operations, David O’Brien, said: "I am delighted with this morning's finding which follows this week's excellent settlement of the dispute between Captain Goss and Ryanair.

"Captain Goss will shortly commence retraining on Ryanair’s new 737-800 series aircraft on the exact terms that were offered to him last November and which were opposed by IALPA (the pilots' union).

"This morning’s decision is another defeat for IALPA in its continuing effort to mislead Ryanair’s Dublin pilots. I look forward to resuming direct negotiations with our Dublin pilots without any further intermeddling by IALPA in this process".