Pilot’s relationship with airline did not constitute employment

High Court sets aside a previous decision by the Appeals Officer, determining that a pilot was not an employee of the airline Ryanair for the period from February 15, 2010, to April 30, 2014. The court found that the inferences drawn by the Appeals Officer, which led to the conclusion that the pilot was an employee under social welfare statutes, were not ones that a reasonable decision-making body could draw. The court held that there was no express or implied contract of employment between the pilot and Ryanair, and that the contractual arrangements did not involve the exchange of wage or other remuneration from Ryanair to the pilot. The decision was based on an erroneous interpretation of documents and an incorrect view of the law.