A good day’s work for Ryanair

Irrespective of its current travails, Ryanair remains one of the greatest Irish success stories in the world of business. 

That success has been built on energy, determination, and a certain ruthlessness to take full advantage of its dominant position.

That business model may not be for the faint- hearted but it has worked for Ryanair — or at least it did until the airline ran out of pilots.

That ruthlessness often seemed to feed a certain disdain for competitors, suppliers, staff, regulatory authorities, and customers, which reached a peak when the airline had to

cancel hundreds of flights.

Its initial reaction suggested it could ignore consumer protection legislation and set the terms it might offer frustrated travellers.

Yesterday’s capitulation — it is nothing less — as Ryanair agreed to implement measures to ensure all passengers facing cancellations are “fully aware” of their “rights and entitlements” is a victory for consumers and shows that a regulator with backbone and supporting legislation can take on the biggest players in the game.

A good day’s work.