Peace, love and harmony – that's our thing. Honestly. But, oh my, I opened a can of worms last week when I reported some choice comments by Ryanair's Michael O'Leary about Christoph Mueller, the chief executive of Aer Lingus.
O'Leary is well known for a rambunctious attitude towards AL, which often keeps a polite distance. However, Declan Kearney, AL's head of communications, is strongly disputing O'Leary's comments.
“Aer Lingus is well used to Michael O’Leary’s frequent outbursts, which are not always rooted in reality, however sometimes we need to set the record straight. Despite these noisy distractions our focus remains on continuing our success as Ireland’s quality airline,” said Kearney.
Let’s have a look.
O’Leary had said that since Mueller joined, AL’s passenger figures fell from 10 million to “nine”. Not true, says Kearney, who says Aer Lingus’ 2013 number was 10.73 million. O’Leary has pointed to AL’s website, which reports 9.62 million passengers flown.
But that excludes the 1.1 million from Aer Lingus Regional, although that is operated by Aer Arann. Add 1.1 million to 9.62 million, and you get 10.73 million.
O’Leary criticised the share price performance, and said AL’s share price had been “about €2.20” and is now lower.
Kearney points out that when Mueller joined in September 2009, AL’s share price was 51 cents, now it is about €1.36. Under Mueller it has risen 166 per cent.
O'Leary says he was referring to a drop "in recent years" – not necessarily under Mueller. €2.20 was the offer Ryanair made to AL, but that was 2006.
AL, 75 per cent privately owned, says it isn’t State controlled nor has it “no aircraft orders”, with an order in place for its long-haul fleet. The original delivery dates have been deferred, but they’re there.
O’Leary, for his part, says he was either misquoted or taken “out of context”. And, ahem, he claims he isn’t “cranky”.
“This aviation leopard has changed his spots. I’m now just a pussy cat. Meeow!” he said.
No claws, please.