The saga continues.....
Company challenges 'dis missal' claim by pilot
THE chief pilot and training officer of Virgin Express Ireland (VEI) has claimed that a crash involving a American Air Force jet at Dubrovnik, Croatia did not mean the airfield was dangerous for Virgin to fly into.
Mr Terry O'Neill was rejecting concerns raised over VEI safety procedures at the airport by former VEI pilot Nicholas McHugh at an Employment Appeals Tribunal in Limerick.
Mr McHugh (44), from Terenure, Dublin is claiming his position with the airline became untenable forcing him to resign on August 3 last after almost two years with the company.
He is claiming constructive dismissal.
The hearing was told that Mr McHugh argued with the chief pilot over the airline's categorisation of Dubrovnik as "a category B" airfield. Mr McHugh's claimed Dubrovnik should receive category C status given to the most difficult airfields for landing.
But in 1999 the US Airforce jet crashed at the airport killing all on board.
"Because there was a crash there doesn't mean it was a dangerous airport. If it was a dangerous airport, it would not be classified or used as an airfield," said Mr O'Neill.
The hearing also heard that Mr McHugh refused to pay for re-training, which the company deemed necessary after a month-long stint with Go Airlines during leave last July.
Furthermore Mr McHugh, he claimed, failed to notify the firm in advance of this.
But Mr McHugh claimed he contacted the company's chief executive before taking up the position with Go.
The hearing was adjourned.