{
  "id": 8293621,
  "title": "Ryanair boss apologizes for calling other airlines 'rapists'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/ryanair-boss-apologizes-for-calling-other-airlines-rapists",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-18T19:14:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "DW News",
    "slug": "dw-news",
    "url": "https://www.dw.com/en/ryanair-boss-apologizes-for-calling-other-airlines-rapists/a-79334099?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary publicly apologized on Friday for using the term \"rapists\" to describe other airlines due to their expensive fares. In a video posted online, O'Leary acknowledged that his choice of words had caused distress and offense, particularly to victims and survivors. This was a significant departure from his earlier stance, where he refused to apologize for the remarks. O'Leary's initial comments sparked outrage from various political leaders in Ireland and the UK, with the Irish Taoiseach Michael Martin expressing disappointment and urging O'Leary to reflect and listen to women's concerns. The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre's chief executive, Rachel Morrogh, deemed O'Leary's words as trivializing the serious issue of rape. The UK's Transport Minister, Heidi Alexander, suggested that survivors of sexual abuse might not be eager to fly with Ryanair given O'Leary's comments. O'Leary had previously made controversial statements about obese and Muslim passengers, proposed a fee for using the toilet mid-flight, and expressed climate denial views.",
  "summary": "The airline CEO had used the term to describe other airlines with high fares. His comments were criticized by officials both in Ireland and the UK.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "DW English (Top Stories)",
        "title": "Ryanair boss apologizes for calling other airlines 'rapists'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/ryanair-boss-apologizes-for-calling-other-airlines-rapists-8293902",
        "published": "2026-09-18T19:14:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}