Ryanair is facing a London Commercial Court group claim brought by 262 current and former pilots over alleged withheld holiday pay and related employment benefits. The case, led by former Ryanair pilot Richard Phillips, also names Storm Global, Brookfield Aviation International and Scanlon Associates as defendants, and could test whether agency-hired pilots are entitled to back pay, pension contributions and other statutory protections.
The dispute centres on Ryanair’s long-standing use of pilots hired through agencies as contractors rather than direct employees. That model has previously underpinned the airline’s position that it did not owe sick pay or holiday pay to those pilots. Lawyers for the claimants argue a prior Court of Appeal ruling involving pilot Jason Lutz supports employee status and weakens the agency defence in aviation.
The value of the claim has not been disclosed. The filing in London comes at a time when employment-status disputes continue to shape how airlines use contract crews, particularly where agency arrangements sit alongside statutory labour rights.