THIS is the first picture of Ryanair pilot Jouke Schrale who is believed to have killed himself after being found dead in an airport car park.

Captain Schrale, 45, known to pals as Jake, failed to report for duty on a routine short-haul flight from Malaga in southern Spain.

2 Capt Schrale was found dead in his ­vehicle in a staff car park

Friday’s 8.30am departure from Malaga to Brussels finally took off hours later after a replacement pilot was scrambled.

Capt Schrale was found dead in his ­vehicle in a staff car park.

The Sun Online spoke to two of the pilot's cousins and a member of his golf club to confirm the identity of the man in the picture.

A source said: “He’d never missed a flight in 15 years and so people knew something must be wrong.”

A Ryanair spokesman said: “We are saddened by the sudden death of Captain Jouke Schrale, and his colleagues in Malaga are in deep shock at this personal tragedy.

"We offer our deepest sympathy to his family and friends and are providing all possible support.

"We are respecting the family’s call for privacy at this difficult time."

2 Captain Jouke Schrale had flown with the Irish budget airline for ten years and his colleagues are said to be 'in shock' over the tragedy Credit: PA:Press Association

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Capt Schrale flew with the Irish budget airline for ten years.

The Dutchman lived with Belgian partner Jessica in Mijas, Spain.

Ryanair pilots and cabin crew across Europe have recently been on strike over working conditions.

Ryanair staff protest at Adolfo Suarez Barajas airport in Madrid and chant 'We don't ask for money, we ask for rights'

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans (free) on 116 123.