Airline boss says he’s ‘frustrated’ by focus in Ireland on Palestinian plight while Ukraine war rages
A demonstrator in Tel Aviv holds a sign during a protest demanding an end to the war in Gaza and the release of all hostages. Photo: Reuters
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has insisted he doesn’t have any ethical qualms or concerns about the airline’s brand by resuming flights to Israel, but that it probably won’t bother because security issues there have been too much of a headache.
He said he has “absolutely none”, when asked if there were any such concerns.
“As long as it is safe to fly there, we’ll be happy fly to Israel, we’re happy to fly to Jordan and I can’t wait to go back and fly to Ukraine,” said the airline chief.
Ryanair’s flights to and from Tel Aviv have remained suspended for months as the country wages its war against Gaza.
However, In June, Ryanair said it expected to resume flights at the end of next month.
A demonstrator in Tel Aviv holds a sign during a protest demanding an end to the war in Gaza and the release of all hostages. Photo: Reuters
Today’s News in 90 Seconds, Thursday, September 11
But now Mr O’Leary said the likelihood of returning to the country are slim.
“We’re talking to the Israelis at the moment,” he said. “I’m not sure if we’re going to go back or not. We have been messed around by the Israelis. One of the problems we have in Tel Aviv, is that there is a low-cost terminal and a normal terminal. Every time there is a security threat, they force everyone from the low-cost terminal into the high-cost terminal.”
“I have limited patience,” said Mr O’Leary. “I think there’s a real possibility that we won’t bother going back to Israel after the cessation of the current war that’s going on there.”
Ryanair will resume flights to Jordan this month or next month, he added.
“Unless the Israelis get their act together and stop messing us around, we have far more growth elsewhere in Europe,” he said.
“I am repeatedly frustrated by the discourse in this country that is all focused on Palestine and the Palestinians, which is a tragic situation, yet there’s nobody marching or protesting about Ukrainian women and children being bombed in their homes,” said Mr O’Leary. “That’s not to diminish what’s going on in Palestine, but we need a little bit more focus on what the hell is going on in Ukraine, which is on our doorstep.”
Next week, Ryanair will also pay back an €800m bond that was raised during Covid. Next May, a further €1.2bn bond that was raised during the crisis will be paid back, leaving the airline group debt free.