Michael O'Leary apologises for comparing competing airlines to rapists

Unreserved apology to survivors

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary released a video message on Friday apologizing for comparing rival airlines to rapists during a media briefing in Dublin. Speaking in the video broadcast on YouTube and shared by Virgin Media News, O'Leary addressed his remarks directly to victims and survivors of sexual violence. He acknowledged that the language he used had caused considerable upset and offence across a wide audience. The apology came after ten days of conversations with family members, friends, and colleagues both inside and outside the budget carrier. O'Leary stated that rape is a heinous and terrible crime that cannot be trivialised under any circumstances, promising not to repeat the comparison.

“I want to apologise sincerely and unreservedly to those people, especially to the survivors. I am truly sorry for the offence and upset I've caused you by my careless use of those words.”

The Dublin press briefing

The dispute originated from statements O'Leary made to journalists ahead of Ryanair's annual general meeting at company headquarters in Dublin. While discussing consumer demand and ticket pricing, the chief executive argued that rising fares at competing carriers would drive passengers toward Ryanair. He specifically named Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, and British Airways, claiming travelers would abandon them because they could not afford what he termed high-fare rapists across Europe. O'Leary asserted that even if some customers chose not to fly with Ryanair, they would be overrun by people seeking low fares. When reporters pressed him immediately afterward on whether the term trivialised sexual violence, O'Leary defended his vocabulary and claimed it was absolutely appropriate. He initially refused to issue a retraction or express regret for the comparison.

Criticism from officials and advocacy groups

The comments prompted condemnation from political leaders and advocacy organisations in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Dublin Rape Crisis Centre chief executive Rachel Morrogh called on O'Leary to make a swift apology, stating that using the term in a commercial context trivialised sexual crime. In a formal letter sent to the executive, the organisation urged him to step back, reflect, and listen to the voices of women affected by such language. Taoiseach Micheál Martin publicly voiced disappointment over the comments, remarking that men need to cop on regarding their choice of words. In Britain, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told LBC radio that victims of sexual assault would likely hesitate before booking flights with the airline following such remarks.

Reversal and corporate stance

Following the sustained public reaction, O'Leary recorded the video retraction to express regret and promise that such language would not recur. In his statement, he noted that he would attempt to learn from the mistake and improve his conduct in future public engagements. The video marked a complete reversal from his initial stance during the Dublin briefing, where he had insisted that the comparison between airline pricing and rape was justifiable. When contacted regarding the video and the surrounding criticism, Ryanair stated that the airline had nothing further to add to the chief executive's personal remarks. The statement brought an end to the ten-day controversy that followed the Dublin annual general meeting.