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."
Ryanair assisting with investigation into tax evasion
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Capetonian
Ryanair assisting with investigation into tax evasion
This could become interesting :
Re: Ryanair assisting with investigation into tax evasion
They may well be having more things looked at in their company ditty bag: apart from the "This is how we move da money around" thing, it appears the (necessary) facility for crew to position to their un-chosen and inhospitable bases on company flights (on 'days off') to begin their duty spells, whilst most welcome, may be skirting on the edge of illegality. There are suggestions that positioning crews are being allowed to pass through airport security without a ticket - as 'nominal' supernumerary' crew and presumably 'in uniform', which is contrary to UK regs at least, since they are not being rostered as such (that would, of course, negate the 'day off').
The simple solution to continue the 'perk' would be for Ryanair to issue a 'freebie' pax ticket (with j/s allocation if required), put the crew member through normal channels and all would be well - except, of course, that nice MOL (or the crew) would have to pay APDT....................
The simple solution to continue the 'perk' would be for Ryanair to issue a 'freebie' pax ticket (with j/s allocation if required), put the crew member through normal channels and all would be well - except, of course, that nice MOL (or the crew) would have to pay APDT....................