Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has apologised unreservedly for comparing competitor airlines to high-fare rapists, admitting his remarks caused wide upset and offence following criticism from politicians and sexual violence survivors’ groups.
Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary issued a formal video apology on September 18, 2026, retracting comments in which he described rival carriers as high-fare rapists
. The billionaire airline boss had initially defended the language following his remarks ahead of the carrier’s annual general meeting in Dublin, but later acknowledged that the phrasing caused considerable upset and offence to victims and survivors of sexual violence.
The Dublin Press Conference and Initial Refusal
The controversy began when the billionaire was heavily criticised by politicians in both Ireland and the UK after defending his choice of words. Speaking to reporters at the company’s headquarters in Dublin, Mr O’Leary claimed that rising air travel prices at competitors would drive customers toward Ryanair’s low-cost model.
“You might find some people will choose not to fly with Ryanair – but you know they’ll be overrun with the people abandoning Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, BA and others desperate to get to Ryanair’s low fares because they can’t afford to fly with the high-fare rapists around Europe.”
Michael O’Leary, Ryanair Chief Executive
When journalists pressed him on whether the comparison was appropriate, Mr O’Leary told reporters: “Absolutely.” While he maintained that rape itself was a terrible crime, he initially rejected assertions that he was trivializing sexual violence, and rebuffed early demands for an apology.
Pressure From Survivors and Campaign Groups
The remarks drew swift condemnation from advocacy organisations. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre called on the Ryanair chief to retract the statement, with DRCC CEO Rachel Morrogh urging him to issue a swift apology to help survivors heal from the trivialisation of sexual violence.
Mr O’Leary initially pushed back against the DRCC, stating in an early reply to Ms Morrogh that since he did not trivialise the crime, he would neither issue an apology nor accept an offer of training. Political figures also weighed in on the controversy, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin among those who criticised the comments.
Video Apology Following Private Conversations
The executive reversed his stance following discussions with family and friends. In a video message shared by Virgin Media News, Mr O’Leary said he recognised that his careless use of language caused widespread upset.
“I want to apologise sincerely and unreservedly to those people, especially to the survivors. I am truly sorry for the offence and the upset I have caused you by my careless use of those words. It won’t happen again.”
Michael O’Leary, Ryanair Chief Executive
Following the video release, Dublin Rape Crisis Centre CEO Noeline Blackwell described the statement as a clear and good apology on RTÉ’s Drivetime, noting that the Ryanair boss had come to see the impact of his words on survivors and those at risk of sexual violence through direct conversations.
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