Ryanair's Michael O'Leary calls Spain's consumer affairs minister 'a clown' in latest cheap flights promotion – CSN News

Ryanair and the ministry of consumer affairs in Spain are at odds once more. Michael O’Leary of Irish budget airline Michael O’Leary announced 179,000 seats at a news conference where he presented a cardboard cut-out of minister Pablo Bustinduy in clown attire. The seats will be advertised at 19.99 euro and with the slogan “Book crazy before the clown increases prices”. The campaign is a reaction to the 179 million euro fine that Consumo imposed on five “low-cost” airlines (Ryanair Volotea Vueling easyJet Norwegian) a few month ago for charging hand luggage inside the cabin.

O’Leary described Bustinduy, as “a crazy communist minister”, “a political madman”, and “a clown”. His message was strategically aligned with the number offered of seats, and the amount fined. Both were led by the number “179”.

The minister didn’t want to get into a direct conflict with the airline executive. He assured the press that Consumo had “only fulfilled its obligations by applying the laws with all rigour and guarantee” in a conference after a Cabinet Meeting. In response to O’Leary’s attacks, the Minister stated that “no pressure campaign or insults” will “intimidate him”. He said: “I will defend application of law whenever necessary.”

The minister said shortly after that it was not “his style” to take part in the “eccentricities” of an “expat millionaire”. He stated that he “honestly”, is not offended at all by this Irish ‘low-cost strategy’, but that what he finds offensive is the way Ryanair treats Spanish customers.

The airline claims the fine imposed on it by the Ministry is “invented”. It also says the fine does not comply with EU laws. Ryanair reminded in self-defence that it had 60 millions passengers in Spain by 2024, who were able to save up to 300,000,000 euros because of its low fares.