Channel 4 has seen off an attempt by Ryanair to force it to disclose the identities of four pilots who supplied material used in a documentary which posed questions about the fuel policy at the low-cost airline.

Ryanair is suing Channel 4 and production company Blakeway productions for defamation in the High Court in Dublin over a programme in the Dispatches series titled “Secrets from the Cockpit” which was broadcast on 12 August, 2013.

Ryanair claims that the programme meant that it endangered passenger safety by operating a low fuel policy and putting pressure on its pilots to take on as little fuel as possible.