Overview
- Michael O'Leary called Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, British Airways and other higher‑fare carriers “high‑fare rapists” at Ryanair’s AGM media briefing, a remark he said on Thursday, September 10, was “absolutely” appropriate.
- The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre wrote to O'Leary asking for a swift apology and offering training on the harm of trivialising rape, and he replied on Friday, September 11, that he would not apologise or accept the training.
- Survivors’ organisations across Ireland and the UK, including Rape Crisis England & Wales and Victim Support, described the comparison as offensive and damaging to people who have experienced sexual violence.
- Politicians in Ireland and the UK and the Fórsa union representing Ryanair cabin crew publicly condemned the language and urged O'Leary to withdraw the remarks, while the DRCC reported an increase in calls to its national helpline.
- The row highlights O'Leary’s history of provocative publicity, raises immediate reputational and staff‑relations risks for Ryanair, and sets up scrutiny over whether the company or its chief will change course or face longer‑term damage to customer confidence.