Ryanair's Michael O'Leary apologises 'unreservedly' after calling some airlines 'high-fare rapists'

Ryanair chief Michael O'Leary has issued an unreserved apology, stating he is "truly sorry" after previously comparing rival carriers to "high-fare rapists." In a video message released to the public, O'Leary acknowledged that his remarks caused significant upset and offense.

The controversial comments drew immediate backlash regarding the airline executive's choice of language when discussing competitors' pricing models. The ensuing apology marks a direct attempt by O'Leary to address the fallout from the statements and mitigate the reputational damage resulting from the comparison.