Its surprising how this story has been ignored by the media.
Or maybe it isn't so surprising?
It's not surprising because very many industries work this way. It's a standard operating model for placing non-permanent staff via agencies. Virtually every organisation hiring long-term contractors or interim managers uses this structure. I think the article is wrong in implying Ryanair might be liable for additional tax if the Revenue doesn't accept that the contract pilots are self-employed. Rather they may be deemed to be direct employees of Brookfield which would have the problem.
Putting a company between Brookfield and the pilot(s) minimises the risk for Brookfield. The pilot(s)' company then has the PAYE/NIC obligations for the pilot(s).