Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary issued a public apology after describing airlines such as British Airways and Lufthansa as “high‑fare rapists”. The comment, made during a press briefing ahead of Ryanair’s annual shareholders’ meeting, sparked outrage from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) and prompted O'Leary to say he was “truly sorry”.

Background to the remark

During a conversation with journalists, O'Leary said some passengers were “desperate to get to Ryanair's low fares because they can't afford to fly with the high‑fare rapists around Europe”. He added that he would “offend” airlines with high fares on a regular basis, and when asked if the language might offend sexual‑assault victims, he acknowledged that rape is “a terrible crime”.

Apology and its wording

In a video posted on Friday, O'Leary explained that, after “conversations with family and friends, both inside and outside Ryanair”, he recognised that his choice of words caused “considerable upset and offence to a wide number of people, especially to victims and survivors”. He stated: “I want to apologise, sincerely and unreservedly, to those people, especially to the survivors.” He described the term as “careless” and promised it would not be used again.

Reaction from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre

The DRCC’s chief executive, Rachel Morrogh, had previously written to O'Leary demanding an apology, saying the centre had received calls from victims who were “upset and distressed because of what you said”. She offered O'Leary training on the impact of sexual violence and urged him to apologise. After the apology, the DRCC welcomed the change in tone but emphasized the need for ongoing sensitivity.

O'Leary’s history of controversial comments

O'Leary is no stranger to provocative language. In 2004, he reportedly called the owners of Stansted Airport “a bunch of overcharging rapists”. He has also referred to some of his own staff as “lazy bastards” and told passengers seeking refunds that the airline “doesn’t want to hear your sob stories”. In June, he announced that Ryanair would “reluctantly” stop charging parents to sit next to children after a watchdog investigation, while defending the airline’s previous policy as lawful.

What the apology means for Ryanair

The apology appears aimed at mitigating reputational damage and addressing concerns from advocacy groups. By acknowledging the hurt caused and pledging not to repeat the phrasing, O'Leary seeks to distance the airline from any implication that it trivialises sexual violence. Observers note that the gesture may also be intended to reassure shareholders and the public ahead of the upcoming annual meeting.

Key take‑aways