Big buzz over Panorama Ryanair program
12.10.09
Michael O’Leary, chief executive of Ryanair, has branded a BBC documentary on Ryanair to be aired tonight (BBC1 20:30) as ‘a hatchet job’ and ‘rubbish-filled’. He refused to appear on the Panorama program after a furious bust-up over his right to reply.
The budget airline has published 25 pages of e-mail correspondence with program makers on its website, with the spat generating huge interest on the internet, and set to give the documentary a huge ratings boost.
Ryanair is reported to be particularly angry at claims in the programme that Michael 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 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 said to be angry over claims that it imposed ‘hidden charges’ on customers and accused the program of trying to create a row between it and aircraft maker Airbus. Relations between the firm and BBC have broken down to the extent that when the reporter asked to attend last month's Ryanair AGM, the airline refused.
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