Ryanair boss apologises 'unreservedly' after calling rival airlines 'high-fare rapists'
He previously doubled down, saying it was “absolutely” appropriate to compare other airlines to “rapists”
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has apologised "unreservedly" for describing other airlines as "high-fare rapists".
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The billionaire was heavily criticised by politicians in both Ireland and the UK after he said it was “absolutely” appropriate to compare competitor airlines to “rapists”.
In a video message released on Friday, Mr O'Leary said that "following conversations with family and friends" he had come to realise his words had caused “considerable upset and offence”.
He apologised “sincerely and unreservedly” to people, especially survivors of sexual violence and rape.
“Last week at a press conference in Dublin, I used the term rapists to described the high fares of our competitor airlines. I was quizzed by the press if I was trivialising rape,” he told Virgin Media News on Friday.
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“I replied by asserting my firm belief that rape is a heinous and terrible crime which cannot be trivialised.
“I believe I couldn’t have been clearer in this regard.
“In conversations with family and friends, both inside and outside Ryanair, over the last 10 days, I have come to realise, however, that the word I used so carelessly has caused considerable upset and offence to a wide number of people, especially victims and survivors.
“I want to apologise, sincerely and unreservedly to those people, especially to the survivors.
“I am truly sorry for the offence and upset I have caused you by my careless use of those words. It won’t happen again.
“I will try to learn from this mistake and do better in the future. Thank you.”
The airline boss had previously refused to apologise, despite calls from the chief executive of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC), Rachel Morrogh, who said he had trivialised rape.
Mr O Learly had doubled down on the remark, insisting it was “absolutely” appropriate to compare other airlines to “rapists”.
The billionaire businessman had claimed rising air travel prices at other airlines would see passengers switch to Ryanair.
He told reporters at the company’s headquarters: “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 “high-fare rapists” comments.
Asked whether this was appropriate language, Mr O’Leary told reporters: “Absolutely.”
Challenged on whether it was offensive to victims of rape and sexual assault, he said he would “happily offend” the airlines mentioned.
Further pressed on whether the language was trivialising rape, he said: “That’s what I call high-fare airlines like Lufthansa, BA and others.”
The chief executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, Rachel Morrogh, said she was “dismayed” at Mr O’Leary’s remarks.
She said: “These are lazy and uninformed comments.
“It feels like Mr O’Leary is chasing soundbites with no regard for how they may affect people. Undoubtedly, the words of high-profile individuals can contribute to trivialising and tolerating sexual violence in our society.”
She added: “And for many survivors of rape, his words will be deeply hurtful and angering to hear.
“I will write to Mr O’Leary to offer him training on how the trivialisation of rape is so harmful.
“He has verbalised a historical trope and as a leading figure in industry, he should lead from the front in terms of what he says and does.”
Ruth Coppinger, a Socialist Party TD, said: “I think it’s disgusting that Michael O’Leary would trivialise rape and sexual assault by bandying around the word ‘rapists’ in order to get a provocative soundbite and get covered in the media in relation to other airlines.“
And to say that it wasn’t offensive, it’s offensive to victims and survivors of rape and sexual assault.
“And what he was doing was purely using a word that he knew would get airtime – and no recognition of the fact that women, men, LGBT+ people who’ve been the victims of sexual assault which is at an epidemic level in our society and internationally would feel really insulted by that.”
Ms Coppinger said Mr O’Leary should “apologise” and “withdraw” the remarks.
“This is a really serious problem that’s faced by so many women, so many LGBT+ people – and it is at epidemic levels in our society and internationally.”
Victims’ advocate Caroline Forde accused Mr O’Leary of being “callous” and using “sensational language about a very pervasive and serious issue”.
She told Newstalk radio: “He’s doing that while triggering and re-traumatising victims and survivors.”
She added: “It’s extremely offensive.”