Ryanair pilots employed on ‘zero-hours’ contracts can be "confident" they will get enough flying time, the low-cost carrier has claimed.
The airline was responding to reports made on last night’s Channel 4 Dispatches programme that Ryanair pilots are afraid to speak out about safety concerns because they are employed on zero-hours contracts.
The much-publicised programme, Ryanair: Secrets from the Cockpit, revealed 70% of the airline’s pilots are on the scheme.
The zero-hours culture was the subject of a national debate last week, when business secretary Vince Cable claimed employees on such contracts could be exploited.
The Dispatches programme made a number of claims about the safety of Ryanair by pilots who wanted to remain anonymous.
When asked why they didn’t speak out, one pilot explained: "Three quarters are on zero-hours contracts and get paid only if they are flying.
"I need to fly in order to make a living."
Ryanair has disputed the findings of the TV programme and has said it will sue Channel 4 Dispatches.
Ryanair head of communications Robin Kiely said: ""Ryanair rejects these failed attempts by C4 Dispatches and/or European pilot trade unions to denigrate or smear Ryanair’s outstanding 29-year safety record.
"Ryanair has instructed its lawyers to issue legal proceedings against Channel 4 Dispatches for defamation and Ryanair looks forward to this matter being resolved in the courts and the safety of Ryanair’s operations being thoroughly vindicated."
On the subject of zero-hours contracts, he said: "Our contractor pilots are only paid for the hours they work (i.e. fly).
"Unlike other airlines, most of whom employ contract pilots, our contractors can be confident of flying an average of 830-850 hours per annum for Ryanair."
