Ryanair boss apologises for ‘failed pilot’ remark

RYANAIR boss Michael O’Leary has apologised for wrongly describing a trade union officer on a TV programme as a “failed Aer Lingus pilot”, as part of a High Court settlement of a defamation action.

Irish Air Line Pilots Association (IALPA) president Evan Cullen sued Mr O’Leary over the remark made on an RTÉ Prime Time programme on September 12, 2006.

In his apology yesterday, Mr O’Leary, who was not in court, agreed to pay Mr Cullen’s legal costs and to contribute to charities nominated by him.