Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair, has issued a formal apology after using the controversial term “high-fare rapists” to describe competitors in the airline industry. His comments sparked backlash from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC), prompting their request for an apology, which he initially declined.
Acknowledging Missteps
O’Leary made these remarks earlier this month during a discussion with journalists before Ryanair’s annual shareholder meeting. He referred to the low-cost appeal of Ryanair compared to other European airlines as the reason customers were opting for his airline. When questioned about the appropriateness of his language, O’Leary justified his comments, mentioning British Airways and Lufthansa as airlines with high fares, indicating his willingness to offend them regularly.
When asked if his comment might offend sexual assault victims, O’Leary acknowledged rape as a “terrible crime”. However, after receiving a letter from the DRCC, where CEO Rachel Morrogh criticised his words and mentioned distress calls from victims, O’Leary remained steadfast in not issuing an apology at the time.
Public Apology Issued
On Friday, O’Leary posted a video in which he expressed regret over his earlier comments. Reflecting on discussions with peers and personal connections over ten days, he recognized the impact and distress his words had caused. He apologised “sincerely and unreservedly” to those affected, particularly to survivors of sexual assault, and labelled his word choice as “careless”, assuring that such an incident would not recur.
Previous Controversies
O’Leary’s public persona has previously ruffled feathers with several controversial statements. Back in 2004, he reportedly described the owners of Stansted Airport as “a bunch of overcharging rapists” amidst a dispute over airport charges. He has also referred to some of his employees as “lazy bastards” and dismissed customer refunds with a lack of empathy, advising against “sob stories”. More recently in June, he responded to a watchdog investigation by stating Ryanair would cease charging parents to sit next to their children, a policy he defended as legally compliant.
Reporting based on coverage first published by bbc.co.uk.