Ryanair claims COO Bellew knew 'from get-go' about non-compete clause in contract

Bellew decided earlier this year to leave Ryanair at the end of this month and join rival airline Easyjet as its chief operating officer.

Ryanair's chief operations officer (COO) Peter Bellew "knew from the get-go" there was a clause in his contract of employment preventing him from joining a rival for a period of 12 months post his departure from the Irish airline, the High Court has heard.

The claim was made on the opening day of Ryanair's proceedings against Mr Bellew arising out of his decision earlier this year to leave the company at the end of this month and join rival airline Easyjet as its chief operating officer.