The Ryanair boss also said Ireland owes the US and Donald Trump a ‘huge debt of gratitude’ while declining to comment on any Trump invitations

Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has said it is “absolutely” appropriate to compare other airlines to “rapists”.

Mr O’Leary made the remarks ahead of his airline’s annual general meeting in Dublin today.

The billionaire businessman claimed rising air travel prices at other airlines would see passengers switch to Ryanair.

He told reporters at the company’s headquarters: “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 later repeated the “high-fare rapists” comments.

Asked whether this was appropriate language, Mr O’Leary told reporters: “Absolutely.”

Challenged on whether it was offensive to victims of rape and sexual assault, he said he would “happily offend” the airlines mentioned.

Further pressed on whether the language was trivialising rape, he said: “That’s what I call high-fare airlines like Lufthansa, BA, and others.”

Corrinne Hasson, executive director of the National Women’s Council, said Michael O’Leary’s remarks were “completely inappropriate and deeply offensive to survivors of sexual violence”.

“Michael O’Leary’s comments about rape are completely inappropriate and deeply offensive to survivors of sexual violence,” she said.

“Comparing rape to selling airline tickets undermines the experiences and trauma of survivors.

“Flippant comments like this show a lack of understanding about rape culture and form part of the bedrock which allows violence against women to thrive in our society,” she added.

Her remarks come as Mr O’Leary also weighed in on Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Ireland, saying the US president should receive a “warm welcome” and dismissing those planning demonstrations as “lefty‑loonies”.

Ireland owes a “huge debt of gratitude” to America and the US president, O’Leary said.

“If you agree or disagree with Trump, Ireland owes a huge debt of gratitude to America,” he insisted.

“Our economy is hugely dependent on inward investment from America and we should extend every possible courtesy to him regardless of who he is – whether it was Trump or Obama, or Bush,” said Mr O’Leary.

“I don’t have any time for the lefty-loonies who want to be out there doing their stupid protests,” he added.

Ryanair is one of the biggest customers in the world of US plane-maker Boeing.

Mr O’Leary declined to say if he has been invited to any events with Mr Trump while he’s in Ireland.

“I can’t comment on the president’s itinerary or any invitations,” he added

President Trump will arrive in Ireland on Saturday morning.

He is then expected to make his way on the Marine One helicopter to the Phoenix Park in Dublin where he will meet President Catherine Connolly and Taoiseach Micheál Martin.

The park will be closed to the public between 11pm today and 6pm on September 12.

President Connolly has previously been a highly critical of President Trump.

A large demonstration is expected to take place in central Dublin at the weekend.

The ‘No Welcome for Trump’ protest will commence at 1pm on Saturday.

The Irish Neutrality League – a coalition made up of opposition political parties and human rights organisations – expects a significant number of people to attend the event

Mr Trump is due to leave Dublin on Saturday afternoon, travelling to Shannon Airport.

His golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare, will be hosting the Irish Open at the weekend, where star golfers including Rory McIlroy will be taking part.

The area around Doonbeg is also expected to see significant protests taking place while Trump visits the area.

A sell-out crowd of 20,000 people is expected on Saturday and Sunday at the Irish Open, with the total attendance for the event expected to be around 75,000.

President Trump bought the Doonbeg resort in 2014 out of receivership after the venue had suffered mounting losses. He paid about €15m for the property, which includes a hotel and the golf course.

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