Ryanair has paid a former pilot £40,000 two years after he was sacked for passing fellow crew members trade union leaflets during a flight.Ryanair has paid a former pilot £40,000 two years after he was sacked for passing fellow crew members trade union leaflets during a flight.

Commenting on the result of Captain James Anderson’s unfair dismissal claim against Ryanair Jim McAuslan, BALPA General Secretary, said; “The British Airline Pilots Association is delighted with the offer of settlement in this claim for unfair dismissal against Ryanair. We regard this as a significant victory. As a professional association representing all commercial airline pilots BALPA is proud to support each and every member, whichever airline they fly for. The safety of the travelling public depends on the likes of Captain Anderson and that is a responsibility he is proud to shoulder . Captain Anderson, like all his professional colleagues, will not see that compromised.

Captain Anderson is now in a position to provide support for his family and the settlement of £40,000 will contribute towards speech therapy sessions for his daughter who suffers from Downs Syndrome. This, in part, will make good the 2 year period in which Captain Anderson was not able to provide full support for his family as he would have wished.”