Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has refused to apologise after likening rival carriers to "high-fare rapists," drawing condemnation from the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre and politicians in Ireland and the UK. The DRCC offered free training and requested a swift apology; O'Leary insisted he did not trivialise rape and called it a "heinous" or "terrible crime." Senior officials warned the language could damage survivors' confidence in Ryanair.
Ryanair CEO Stands By 'High‑Fare Rapists' Remark as Victims' Groups and Politicians Condemn Him
FILE PHOTO - Michael O'Leary, CEO of Irish ultra low-cost carrier Ryanair, speaks during a press conference. (is associated with: «Ryanair boss refuses to apologize for 'high-fare rapists' comment») Eric Lalmand/BELGA/dpa
Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has refused to apologise after comparing rival airlines to "high-fare rapists", a comment that has drawn strong criticism from victims' groups and senior politicians in both Ireland and the UK.
Background
The remark came ahead of Ryanair's annual general meeting in Dublin, when O'Leary argued that rising fares at other carriers would push passengers toward Ryanair's lower-cost services. Speaking to reporters at the airline's headquarters, he said: "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." He later repeated the phrase.
Reaction From Advocacy Groups
The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) said the comparison trivialised sexual violence and urged O'Leary to issue a "swift apology." DRCC chief executive Rachel Morrogh also offered free training on sexual violence and its impact for Ryanair staff.
O'Leary's Response
In a published reply, O'Leary rejected the accusation that he had trivialised rape, noting that during the media exchange he described rape as a "heinous crime" and, when directly asked if his words were offensive to survivors, used the phrase "terrible crime." He said he would not accept the DRCC's offer of training and called the organisation's claims that his remarks "perpetuate dismissive attitudes to survivors of rape" "both false and defamatory."
Political Reaction
UK Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander told LBC that O'Leary's comparison risked undermining confidence in his airline among women who have experienced sexual assault, saying survivors would be unlikely to "rush to book tickets with him." Ireland's deputy premier, Simon Harris, described the language as "clearly an inappropriate use of language" and said O'Leary "should have moved to rectify it."
Implications
The controversy has prompted condemnation from victim support organisations and political figures and focused attention on the responsibilities of public leaders to use sensitive and measured language when discussing serious crimes. O'Leary has stood by his comment and declined the DRCC's offer of training, while critics say his phrasing downplays the trauma experienced by survivors.
Key Quote: "Since I certainly did not trivialise the heinous crime of rape, I will certainly not be issuing any apology or accepting your offer of training." — Michael O'Leary
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