Ex-Ryanair pilot shocked over disciplinary steps

A FORMER Ryanair pilot was shocked that his decision not to operate a flight on safety grounds triggered an immediate disciplinary hearing, an Employment Appeals Tribunal in Dublin heard yesterday.

Paul Christiansen also claimed that Ryanair instigated a pattern of biased behaviour against him as a result of his “undesired” decision, which affected more than 630 passengers.

Mr Christiansen, a Danish national, has brought a claim of unfair dismissal against the airline after he was demoted following his decision not to operate a return flight between his Swedish base at Skavsta (Stockholm) and Basel, Switzerland, on October 30, 2007. The pilot’s schedule on the date involved two return flights from Skavsta, due to be completed in 11½ hours.