Anthony Burns has been charged with two counts of causing death by dangerous driving, as well as causing serious injury by dangerous driving.
He appeared before Warrington Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday for a first hearing.
Here, a date was set for the 61-year-old’s next appearance which will be before Liverpool Crown Court.
The next hearing, which will be for a plea and trial preparation, will take place on December 23.
Burns, of Headington Road in Upton, Wirral, was granted unconditional bail in the meantime.
The charges relate to a horror crash which resulted in the death of two pilots – Matt Greenhalgh and Jamie Fernandes.
At 5.31am on Thursday, July 11, 2024, Matt, 28, and Jamie, 24, were travelling to Liverpool John Lennon Airport in a taxi on the motorway.
The pair, who were captain and senior first officer respectively for Ryanair, were involved in a crash with two lorries on the M62 between junction 8, Burtonwood, and junction 7, Rainhill Stoops.
Tragically they were both pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the taxi was taken to hospital with serious injuries.
Paying tribute to him after the crash, Matt’s family said: “Matt had a passion for life and seized every opportunity that came his way.
“He had already achieved so much in such a short life, with so much more planned.
“Matt discovered his ambition for becoming a pilot in his teenage years, following a flying lesson that was gifted by his aunt.
“His hard work and determination led to a successful career with Ryanair, recently being promoted to captain.
“He loved the skies and flying, never growing tired of the scenic views from the cockpit.”
Also paying tribute, Jamie’s family wrote: “Jamie was living his best life and had so many plans for the future. In his too-short life, he packed in so much and made the most of every moment.
“We are grateful that he had achieved the dream he had had from childhood of flying.
“He looked forward to every day at work, where it is obvious he was with a very special family of colleagues and friends, and as he said, ‘the sun always shines above the clouds’.”