Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary today rejected the notion that his airline should be providing tea or taxis to passengers affected by air-traffic problems at Dublin airport.
The five-year-old radar system at the airport has malfunctioned several times over the past few weeks, and there have been serious flight delays in recent days.
Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Irelandtoday, Mr O'Leary said: "Passengers look to the airlines for the information. The airlines don't have any information. If we're not given information by the IAA [Irish Aviation Authority], we have no information to give.
“Please don’t ask us to make up information.”
When asked whether passengers should be offered cups of tea or the taxi fare to a hotel, Mr O’Leary dismissed this as “a load of nonsense”, pointing out that ferry companies were not expected to pay for tea when their sailings were cancelled.
“You paid an air fare of €40, you saved about €150, buy your own cup of tea. . . . what is this cup of tea nonsense? If you want a cup of tea, go and buy your own cup of tea.”
He noted Ryanair had given out vouchers for tea but said he found this “bizarre” as passengers had to pay for tea when aboard a flight.
“Why are we providing cups of tea when the Irish Aviation Authority can’t run a radar system properly?
“You don’t fly with Ryanair for the free cups of tea . . . because there aren’t any. Nor should we be obliged when somebody in the Government screws up to start giving out cups of tea,” Mr O'Leary added.
“Our simple courtesy here revolves around giving . . . the guaranteed lowest fare and an on-time flight.”
