Whilst what Ryanair is doing seems to be legal - no doubt their lawyers have crawled all over their employment policies - they are taking a hell of a risk
The thing about some law is the interpretation. That is why 2 lawyers debate
in front of a judge or jury and try to convince them they have the correct argument. They both believe they are right and are there to test it. RYR's employment practices have not been through that test, and we have read on here, from many contributors, that many believe they are employees while other are not too sure. There have been very few, if any, categoric declarations that an individual believes he is fairly a self-employed pilot with all the freedoms and obligations that implies. I would therefore hold judgement on the quality of RYR's legal bods until it is tested in the proper place. Remember how many legal cases they have lost; and assuming their lawyers told them they had a good change to win. I suspect they have a negative goal difference.