Ryanair and one of its senior pilots expect to announce a settlement today in High Court proceedings taken by the pilot, Capt John Goss.
On the fifth day of the hearing yesterday, following day-long talks between the sides, Richard Nesbitt SC, for Ryanair, told Mr Justice Budd they had "reached a stage where, although final agreement isn't ready for signature, I think the parameters are clear".
Mr Nesbitt asked the court to let the matter stand until today. "We anticipate happiness at that point in time," he said. Both sides had "recorded what they think the agreement is" and are working to ensure it all arrived in one document, he added.
Capt Goss of Malahide, Co Dublin, claims Ryanair made serious allegations against him in a letter of December 10th, 2004, - namely that he intimidated other pilots at Stansted airport, warning them not to accept positions on the company's new aircraft, the Boeing 737-800, based in Dublin. He claimed the company alleged that he failed to co-operate and that it had initiated disciplinary proceedings against him.
He alleged the company, without notice, suspended him from duty and that he was reinstated only after he took High Court proceedings. The company denied Capt Goss's claims.
In evidence yesterday, Capt Goss said he had had two conversations with the company's chief pilot, Capt Ray Conway. On November 21st, Capt Conway had spoken about the company's offer of November 12th, 2004, to eight senior pilots (related to training of the pilots on the new Boeings), urging him to sign the document related to that training.
Capt Goss said Capt Conway had said: "You know what will happen" and words to the effect that "your head will be blown off". Capt Conway had not meant that literally, Capt Goss added.
Capt Conway had also said "the Dublin base will be closed and your next base will be Vilnius and bad money", Capt Goss said.
Capt Goss said he subsequently met Capt Conway on February 20th last.
Capt Conway had said: "I don't know what to say, I just don't know what to say. You know what he is like. He's ruthless. Look after number one. Look after yourselves that is all you can do."
Capt Goss said he believed the "he" referred to was Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary.
