Michael O'Leary
Page 48
and Aer Lingus 115–16
investigation into Ryanair and Charleroi 313–16, 354–60
Evans, Simon 400
Farrell, Anita, MO’L’s marriage to 350–53
Farrell, Patsy 102
Fenemont, Pierre 270
Fernandes, Tony 370
FitzGerald, Dr Garret 48
Fitzsimmons, Paul 310–11, 317, 319, 328, 334, 338, 340
Flynn, Phil 189
Foley, Maurice 96
Foley, Michael 375
foot and mouth disease, effects of 273–4
Forgeard, Noel 294
Frankfurt Hahn airport 214, 215, 249, 270, 289–90, 299–301
Fraport AG 214
Galileo system 230
Gallagher, Jackie 107
Galway airport 52, 78, 98, 119
Gantelet, Giles 355–6
Garnham 144–5
GB Airways 131
GE Capital 96, 97
Geraghty, Des 281–2
Gibbons, David 260
Gigginstown House, Mullingar 102–3, 347–9
Gilmore, Eamon 184
Go
BA’s new low-cost airline 201
expansion 208
and Debonair 138
MO’L on 225
future in balance 255, 256
battle with Ryanair 291–2, 294
Goss, John 414
GPA (Guinness Peat Aviation) 17–18, 24, 47–8, 75, 94–8
Green, Caroline 227, 317, 319
Griffm, John 110
Hahn airport 214–15, 249, 270, 289–90, 299–301
Haider, Jörg 310
Haji Ioannou, Stelios 132–3, 306
Hanlon, Noel 135–6, 222, 237–8, 294, 336, 338
Harney, Mary 189, 298, 305, 352
Hartigan’s public house, Dublin 13, 14
Harvey-Jones, Sir John 48
Hatch Hall, Dublin 13
Haughey, Charles 69
Hayes, Conor
becomes CEO Ryanair 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85
making Ryanair profitable 88–92, 93
cutting loss-making routes 98–9
Ryanair into profit 101
resignation 103–4
and Aer Lingus offer to buy Ryanair 105–6
and Aer Lingus request for state aid 108–9
opposition to Aer Lingus Express 205–6
Healy, Paddy 120
Heifer, Andreas 214, 290, 300
Henry, Conal 330–34
Hertz 209, 333, 394
Hickey, Mick 317, 318
Horgan, Michael 268
IAA see Irish Aviation Authority
IALPA see Irish Airline Pilots Association
IATA (International Air Transport Association) 160–61, 391, 414
IMPACT 257–8, 414
inflight entertainment 392
Internet 226
cattle website 246–7
Ryanair and 226–31, 246, 253
Ireland
economic growth 180, 193, 231–2
tourism 65, 68, 221, 222, 224
Irelandia 19, 20–21, 32
Irish Air 219
Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA) 78, 257, 414
Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) 399
Irish government
aviation policy in 1980s 26–7, 27–8, 28–31
and Ryanair 32, 41–2
new two-airline policy 65–6, 67–71, 99
Aer Lingus application for state aid 108–11, 115–17, 205–6
and Shannon airport 235–6
MO’L dealings with 236–7
and Dublin airport 236–9, 247–8
action on outbreak of foot and mouth 273–4
help for airlines after 9/11 287
MO’L discussion with Transport Committee 343–5
and SARS epidemic 346–7
and AerLingus 374, 377–81, 383–4
and Dublin airport 388–9
partial sale of Aer Lingus 403–6, 407, 408, 410, 412
Irish Times 107, 156, 182
ITAA (Irish Travel Agents Association) 158–60
Jaguar 141–2
Jeans, Tim
head of marketing Manchester airport 121–2
in charge of Ryanair UK 130, 131, 132
and Ryanair expansion into Europe 147–8
and Ryanair flotation 153, 170
and Ryanair use of out-of-town airports 160–61
and deal with Hertz 209
and one millionth passenger 265, 302, 303
and Charleroi airport 272
resignation 317
Kanturk, County Cork 1
Kearney, Seamus 373, 382–3
Kearns, Vinnie 342
Kelleher, Herb 86, 87, 194, 369
Kelly, Justice Peter 302
Kelly, Peter 304
Kennedy, David 27, 56
Kenny, Paul 323
Kerry airport
Ryanair services from 63, 78
Ryanair stops using 98
Ryanair services to 119
Ryanair services from again 149
development levy 217–18, 232–5
gains Hahn flights 326–7
alternative to Cork 403
Killeen, Tony 203
Kitt, Tom 251
Klagenfurt airport 310
KLM 254, 256
sale of Buzz 321–4
Knock airport 44, 63, 98, 98–9, 119, 241–2
Kotser, Bart 321, 324
Labour Court 180, 203–4, 414–15
Laker, Sir Freddy 28
Lamezia airport 249, 277
Lamidey, Marc 312
landing charges see airport charges
Lang, Hugh 132
Leahy, John 286
Lickbla (rendering business) 9–10
Linehan, Thomas 228, 229–30
Lobbenberg, Andrew 329, 350
London bombings 2005 389–90
London European Airways (LEA) 45–6, 82, 130
Lonergan, Liam 22, 24, 28–9, 31
Lowry, Michael 133, 134, 134–5, 136–7
Lufthansa 214–15, 299–301
Luton airport 37
Ryanair services to 37, 38, 39, 40, 42, 52
Ryanair sole Irish carrier to 70, 78, 100–101
Ryanair services to and from 119
easyJet 132–3
Lynn, Westmeath 1, 5
McAuley, Dan 189
McAulsan, Jim 323
McCarthy, Conor
joins Ryanair 143–4
and Ryanair expansion into Europe 147–8, 149
and baggage handlers dispute 173, 187, 189–90
negotiating with Boeing and Airbus 191
leaves Ryanair 316–17
McCreevy, Charlie 289, 298, 352, 381
McDowell, Michael 409
McEvaddy, Ulick & Desmond 195–6
McEvoy, Gerry 17, 18
McGoldrick, Peter (P.J.) 59
CEO Ryanair 58, 73–4
and millionth passenger 263
restructuring Ryanair 59–62
new Ryanair routes 63–5, 66
confidence in Ryanair 73–4
resignation 79
McHugh, Fiona 275
McKean, Hamish 76, 78
McKee, Frank 12
McLaughlin, Kyran 268, 409
McManus, J.P. 352, 413
McQuaid, John Charles 12–13
MacSharry, Ray 117, 127, 360
Magliano, David 292
Malone, Bernie 184
Mancassola, Franco 137–8
Manchester airport 52–3, 70, 119, 121–2, 219–20
Mannion, Dermot 395–6, 408
Mara, P.J. 297–8, 304, 305
Martin, Michaél 347
MBNA credit card provider 334
mergers 254, 255–6
Merrill Lynch 97, 102, 122–3
Millar, Howard 121, 144, 316, 319–20
Mitchell, Gay 133
Mitchell, Jim 23, 26, 32
Morgan Stanley 154,
166
Morris, Michael ‘Mouse’ 401
mortgages sold through Ryanair.com 331
Mueller, Christophe 272
Mulally, Alan 295
Mulcahy, Tom 379, 381
Mullan, Cathal 71
Mullingar, Westmeath 1, 5, 103
Murphy, Paddy 79–80
Murray Consultants 310
Nash, Mary 397
Nealon, Ted 29–30
Need a Hotel 332
newsagents, MO’L’s 33–5
9/11 attacks 283–5, 287
Nolan, Liam 240
NUJ (National Union of Journalists) 180, 182
Oakes, Fergal 3
O’Brien, David 317, 318
O’Brien, Denis 18, 412
O’Callaghan, Anne 42
O’Callaghan, Noel 14
O’Connor, John 337–8
O’Flynn, Noel 344
O’Hara, Michael 259–60
oil prices 390–91, 403, 408
O’Keeffe, Jane 263–5, 301–3
O’Leary, Ashley Concepta 2
O’Leary, Eddie 2, 402
O’Leary, Gerarda 1, 144
O’Leary, Michael GJ.M.
early life
birth 1
childhood memories 1, 400–401
at school 3–4, 7, 10–11
at university 12–15, 16
early professional life
first job 16–17, 18–19
first contacts with Tony Ryan 18, 33
corner shop businesses 32–5, 46
starts working for Tony Ryan 46–7, 48
Tony Ryan’s assistant at Ryanair 51, 54–5, 57–8, 58, 62, 63, 85–6
learning about Ryanair 74–5, 76–7
Ryanair chief financial officer 79, 82–3, 84, 89, 91–2
profit-sharing deal 84–5, 86, 93, 144
trip to America 86–7, 167
steps back from Ryanair 92–3
and GPA flotation attempt 95, 96, 96–7
return to Ryanair 97–8
Ryanair into profit 101
and Aer Lingus offer to buy Ryanair 105–6
successor to Hayes 104–5
CEO Ryanair
starts as CEO 112–14
and Aer Lingus state aid 116
new aircraft 117–18
new fare structure 118–19
airport deals 119–22
and Tony Ryan’s debts 122–3
expansion into Europe 124–5, 147–9
expansion plans 127, 128, 129, 134
Tony Ryan on 129
London-Scotland route 131, 132
opposition to new airport 134, 220–21
and Noel Hanlon 135–6
obsession with Ryanair 143
becomes shareholder 144–5
tactics and the competition 146–7
installing new chairman 150–51
and stock market flotation 153–4, 164–7, 170, 173–5
and travel agents 158, 159, 160
remuneration package made public 163–4
and baggage handlers dispute 173, 178, 179, 182–3, 186, 188, 189, 190, 204–5
buying more planes 191, 192, 216
a CEO with attitude 193–5
Dublin airport proposals 195–8, 221–2, 235, 236, 237–9, 266
and European expansion 199–200, 213–14, 215, 216
and London flotation 200, 201, 202
continuing battle with Aer Lingus 205–6
and airport charges 207–8, 210–211, 213, 214, 216, 219–20, 247–8, 278, 280
and Kerry airport levy 217–18, 232–4
share sales 218, 219, 250, 269
and Ryanair business model 223–5
and the Internet 226, 227–9
and Shannon airport 235–6
dealings with Irish state 236–7
educating the public 241
U-turn on Knock airport 241–2
seat sale 245, 246
expansion 247, 248–9
publicity 250, 252, 259–60
and mergers 255–6
negotiations with pilots 257, 258–9
Ryanair sued by Aer Rianta 261–2
and one millionth passenger 263–4, 301–3
and Mary O’Rourke 266–7, 289, 305
changing shape of Ryanair 267
campaign against Sabena 272–3
fortieth birthday 274–5
moneymaking ideas 275–6
on 2000/2001 growth 277–8
criticisms of Dublin airport 279–80
response to 9/11 284–5
and aircraft manufacturers 285–7, 294–7
and state aid 287–9
campaign against Go 291–4
and politicians 297–9
and safety issues 307
and low-cost facility at Dublin airport 290, 309, 336–7
and new terminal at Dublin airport 309–310, 336–7
new public relations strategy 310–312, 316
and European Commission investigation 313–16, 354–9, 360
at Monday meetings 317–20
and acquisition of Buzz 321–4, 329
stunts for seat sales 327–8
lowering prices and ancillary revenue 330, 334
attacks on Aer Lingus 335
continuing disputes with Aer Rianta 291, 335, 336–8
taxi controversy 341–3, 345
discussion with Transport Committee 343–5
and SARS threat 346–7
and financial markets 354, 359–60
on being replaceable 365
and Boeing 366–71
and Dublin airport 385–7, 388, 388–9, 394, 407–8
and oil prices 390, 391
more moneymaking ideas 391–3
talks of leaving Ryanair 393
assault on Aer Lingus 394–6
response to Channel 4 documentary 397–8, 399–400
obsession with safety 398–9
and tightened security at airports 406–7
and stake in Aer Lingus 408–413
on carbon emissions 415–16
and Ryanair growth 416–18
on own future 418–19
personal life 58
buys a house 102–3
at trial of Cathal Ryan 155, 156
Irish Times profile 156
Aberdeen Angus herd 157, 246–7, 274
on Sunday Times Rich List 193
house restoration 202
marriage plans 243–5
house open to public 347–9
marriage to Anita Farrell 350–53
birth of son 393
racehorses 400–402
O’Leary, Timothy ‘Ted’ 1–2, 4–5, 5–6, 9–10
O’Malley, Des 30, 71–2
O’Neill, Eugene
heading Ryanair 36, 42, 45, 50, 57
Ryanair competing with Aer Lingus 44
Ryanair expansion plans 48–9, 52, 53–4
and crisis at Ryanair 55–6
after fired from Ryanair 56–7, 161–2
Open Skies (airline liberalization) 376, 377
Open Skies (telesales) 229
Orly airport 148
O’Rourke, Mary
transport minister 184, 185, 196–7, 212, 219, 236, 289
MO’L hostility towards 266–7, 344
defeat in elections 304–5
O’Sullivan, Paul 163, 178–9, 182, 186–7, 189
Paris, services to 39, 40, 70
passengers
business 60
ancillary revenue from 208–9, 246, 253, 275–6, 330–35
Ryanair no refunds for 240–41
Ryanair basic service for 248–9
Ryanair stranded 259–60
Ryanair millionth 263–5, 301–3
Pearson, Ian 415
People Express 28
Pietrogrande, Paolo 268
pilots
Aer Lingus 232, 412
Ryanair 78, 79, 232, 257–9, 392, 413–15
Ryanair saf
ety issues 306–7, 398–9
Power, Ethel 179, 182–3, 199
Power, Peter 344
Prasifka, Bill 278–9
Prestwick airport 119–21, 130–32, 160, 208, 249
Quinn, Maire Geoghegan 98, 184
Reynolds, Albert 2, 10
Reynolds, Philip 9
Richardson Insurance 331
Rimini airport 199, 276–7
Rocca, Michelle 154–6
Roman Catholic Church 250–51
Ross, Bob 308
Ross, Shane 237
rugby 11–12
Rusell, Alain 340
Ryan, Cathal
at school 18
and Ryanair 24, 104
and London European Airways 45, 82
and Ryanair UK 130
charged with assault 154–6
sells Ryanair shares 218, 219
Ryan, Christy 24, 36
Ryan, Dan 391
Ryan, Declan
at school 18
and Ryanair 24, 51, 58, 82, 104, 141
and MO’L 76
sells Ryanair shares 218, 219
Ryan, Kell 127
Ryan, Shane 24, 218, 219
Ryan, Tony 17, 47
and GPA 17–18, 46, 47–8
first contacts with MO’L 18, 33
proposed new airline 19–22, 23, 24–5, 32, 36
and early Ryanair 37–8, 56
and London European Airways 45–6, 82
MO’L starts working for 46–7, 48
and MO’L assessment of Ryanair 51
seeking new Ryanair CEO 58–9
talks with government 67–9
and future of Ryanair 81–2, 93
deal with MO’L 84–5, 93
and GPA flotation and collapse 93–4, 95, 101–3, 104, 122–3
and Aer Lingus offer to buy Ryanair 105
and MO’L as CEO Ryanair 112, 129
chairman at Ryanair 127
new airport plans 133–4, 220
plans to sell Ryanair 127–8, 138–9, 140–41, 142–3
selling advertising 141, 142
eased out as chairman 150–52
son charged with assault 155
sells Ryanair shares 218, 219
Ryanair
beginnings of 19, 20–21, 24–5, 32
a new company 36–46, 48–9, 50–51, 52, 53–4
MO’L arrival at 50, 51, 57–8
in crisis 51, 54–6, 61
McGoldrick CEO 58–62, 63–4, 64–5, 78
and government policy changes 65–72
1989 losses 73–4
financial reforms 75–6, 77, 78
battling with Aer Lingus again 78–9
changes in chief executive 79–80
Hayes becomes CEO 80, 81, 82, 83, 84
working towards profitability 88–92, 93, 98–9
and price controls 100–101
into profit 101, 137
Hayes resigns 103–4
Aer Lingus offer to buy 105–7
and state aid for Aer Lingus 108–9, 110, 116, 128–9, 205–6
O’Leary CEO
MO’L takes over from Hayes 104, 112–14
increasing competition 114–15
new aircraft 117- 18