Ryanair has confirmed it is assisting German authorities with an investigation into Brookfield Aviation International.
According to reports in the Times newspaper, the Surrey headquarters of Brookfield have been searched as part of an investigation into an ‘especially serious case of tax evasaion’.
The Sunday Times reported that HM Revenue and Customs are carrying out a separate inquiry into the company over allegedly unpaid taxes and social insurance.
Brookfield, which claims to be the world’s leading supplier of pilots, engineers, and human resource solutions to the global aviation industry, is said to supply a large number of Ryanair pilots.
The investigation is said to focus on whether crew were independent sub-contractors or employed by Brookfield and leased to Ryanair.
Ryanair head of communications Robin Kiely said: "We are aware of the investigation and are assisting the German authorities.
"Ryanair requires all of its contractors, including Brookfield, to comply fully with national regulations and authorities. Brookfield have advised us that they expect these enquiries will be resolved satisfactorily in the not too distant future."
