The Irish Airline Pilots' Association wants Transport Minister Leo Varadkar to launch an independent investigation into the effectiveness of the Irish Aviation Authority.

It follows last night's Channel 4 Dispatches documentary 'Secrets from the Cockpit', which featured anonymous Ryanair pilots, who raised concerns over fuel policies.

This morning, Ryanair Chief Michael O'Leary played down the documentary when he spoke to Newstalk's Breakfast, saying its fuel policies are to ensure smoother flights.

The airline says it will sue Channel 4 for defamation.

Evan Cullen, President of IALPA, told Newstalk's Breakfast that last night's programme has raised questions about the IAA:

IAA statement

The Irish Aviation Authority has responded in a statement to Newstalk, pointing out that they are subject to European and International audits. They make the following points:

• The Irish Aviation Authority oversees the safety standards of all Irish registered airlines in accordance with EU and international regulations. All carriers regardless of size or business model must comply with European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) safety standards in Europe.
• The IAA is audited by both EASA and the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).
• Income from safety regulatory services is managed completely on a non-profit basis.
• Ryanair is the IAA’s 6th largest source of income (behind British Airways, Delta, Aer Lingus, etc)
• Fuel emergencies, whilst extremely rare, do occur occasionally.

Ryanair's rejection

Michael O'Leary rejected allegations that there were possible safety implications for passengers arising from his airline's fuel policies, insisting they are designed to deter 'boy-racers' from flying his aircraft.

The programme claimed pilots who burn the most fuel receive letters from the airline chastising them. Ryanair Chief O'Leary says 90% of the time they are being advised to slow down.

May Day

'Secrets from the Cockpit' detailed three incidents in which Ryanair pilots had to call in May Day alerts, because they were low on fuel. Ryanair says these incidents arose because of bad weather, and insist the fact that only three out of 1.2 million flights they operated over the past two years experienced these emergencies, points to their strong safety practices.

Mr. O'Leary has branded the programme's allegations as false, and he's added IAA supports him in that.

Ryanair Chief Executive Michael O'Leary told Newstalk's Breakfast that pilots who spoke to programme makers didn't all work for the airline, and alleged they are pursuing an industrial relations agenda that would seek to organise Ryanair staff:

No truth whatsoever

Michael O'Leary says there's no truth whatsoever to claims contained in a Spanish report about a 2010 incident, which expressed concerns about what was described as a Ryanair policy of landing with minimum fuel. Ryanair says both it, and Irish regulators, have lodged complaints with the Spanish over that report.

Mr. O'Leary says Channel 4 omitted to include a statement from the IAA which described Ryanair's 29 year safety record as outstanding. "Passengers who fly with Ryanair know they are flying with one of Europe's safest airlines", he said. 

Michael O'Leary says he offered to do an unedited interview with dispatches - but the show declined.

Ryanair claims it also requested that an unedited response be broadcast - but to no avail.

Airline says its passengers know they are flying with one of Europe's safest carriers

Survey

The expose also used a survey by the Ryanair Pilot Group - which says it encompasses all pilots working for Ryanair - though Michael O'Leary has refused to recognise it.

According to the survey an overwhelming majority of Ryanair pilots have concerns about work practices and safety - but they don't feel they can speak up.