Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has defended his use of the term “high-fare rapists” to describe rival airlines, despite facing significant criticism from government ministers in the UK and Ireland.
Speaking at a press conference in Dublin on 10 September 2026, ahead of the airline’s Annual General Meeting (AGM), Mr O’Leary applied the phrase to competitors including British Airways, Lufthansa, and Aer Lingus. When challenged by reporters on the suitability of the language, he maintained it was “absolutely” appropriate and stated he would “happily offend” the carriers mentioned.
Government and official reaction
The comments have drawn condemnation from senior political figures. In the UK, Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander joined the criticism on 11 September, while Irish Transport Minister Darragh O’Brien has publicly called for an apology from the Ryanair executive.
Despite the pressure from officials in both London and Dublin, Mr O’Leary has doubled down on his choice of words, suggesting the terminology accurately reflected his view of rival pricing structures.
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) has condemned the remarks as “lazy and uninformed,” stating that such language trivialises sexual violence.
According to The Journal, Minister O’Brien noted that while the CEO is known for provocative statements, using language associated with sexual violence to discuss commercial competition was unacceptable.
Business context
The controversy comes at a time of continued disruption in European aviation. During the same press conference, Mr O’Leary addressed ongoing air traffic control delays, which have impacted several carriers across the continent during the summer season.
While the CEO’s comments have sparked a backlash from advocacy groups and politicians, there has been no immediate indication of a formal shift in Ryanair’s corporate strategy. British Airways, Lufthansa, and Aer Lingus have not issued formal statements in direct response to the specific terminology used by the Ryanair chief.