'It won't happen again': Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary apologises over ‘rapists’ comments

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary at the Ryanair AGM, at their offices in Dublin. Picture: PA

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has "sincerely and unreservedly" apologised for describing rival airlines as“rapists”, and said it won't happen again.

The controversial chief executive of the budget airline caused uproar last week after describing Ryanair's competitors as "rapists" in terms of the high fares they charge.

Survivors of sexual abuse and advocacy groups were among those who spoke out.

Mr O'Leary had previously doubled down on his initial comments, made ahead of Ryanair's AGM on September 10, despite calls from Rachel Morrogh, CEO of the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, for him to apologise. He insisted the language he had used had "absolutely" been appropriate.

Speaking to Virgin Media News on Friday, Mr O'Leary delivered a prepared statement in which he said that after his initial statement, he had clarified that rape is "a heinous and terrible crime which cannot be trivialised", and that he is of the opinion he "couldn't have been clearer in this regard".

He said he he had now "come to realise, however, that the word I use so carelessly has caused considerable upset and offense to a wide number of people, especially to victims and survivors".

"I want to apologise sincerely and unreservedly to those people, especially to the survivors," he said.

"I am truly sorry for the offence and upset I've 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 future."

Responding to Mr O'Leary's climbdown, Ms Morrogh said that the DRCC "welcomes Mr O'Leary's apology and recognition that his comments caused concern and hurt to people who have been raped as well as to their families and friends".

“We hope Mr O’Leary’s apology helps promote a greater public understanding of the impact language can have and the harm that trivialising sexual violence can do," Ms Morrogh said.

"Words matter and positive leadership really matters as well, so we view Mr O’Leary’s apology as being very important.

"We remain committed to and focused on ensuring that the experiences of victims and survivors are treated with the seriousness, dignity and respect they deserve,” she said.

Mr O'Leary's original comments were made over what he described as elevated ticket prices charged by rival airlines, arguing that passengers would eventually switch to Ryanair as a result.

"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 said last week.

His comments received widespread condemnation. Taoiseach Micheál Martin said he was "disappointed", noting that men generally need to "cop on" in terms of the language they use.

Mr Martin stopped short of calling for Mr O'Leary to apologise for the comments.

"I think Michael O’Leary should just stand back and reflect and listen to the voice of women on this occasion, this is a genuine view," Mr Martin said.