Big fuss over Panorama Ryanair programme
12.10.09
Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, has branded a BBC documentary on the budget airline to be aired tonight (BBC1 20:30) ‘a hatchet job’ and ‘rubbish-filled’. He refused to appear on the Panorama programme after a furious row over his right to reply.
The budget airline has published 25 pages of e-mail correspondence with programme makers on its website. This spat has generated huge interest on the internet, and set to give the documentary a huge ratings boost, just as the airline's publicity stunts boost its profile.
Ryanair is reported to be particularly angry at claims in the programme that Mr O'Leary referred to his staff as ‘lemons’. He denied Panorama allegations that he once said of his staff: ‘We cut them in half, we squeeze out the juice and then we throw them away.’ Mr O'Leary said: ‘Given that I am so widely reported, I think you will find that it doesn't exist. This and many of the other claims you make are simply manufactured and untrue.’
The airline is also reported to be angry over claims that it imposed ‘hidden charges’ on passengers and accused the programme of trying to create a row between it and aircraft maker Airbus over alligations that it once shook hands on a plane order, then walked away from the deal. Relations between the firm and programme broke down to the extent that when a reporter asked to attend last month's Ryanair AGM, the airline refused.
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