Ryanair controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
Back to profile3 entries
2026
Ryanair responds to discrimination allegation
Company response
Ryanair responded to an allegation by Kumar Sangakkara concerning the conduct of its gate staff at Dublin Airport. According to the airline's response, Sangakkara declined to provide the necessary documentation when requested, and he later travelled on the scheduled Dublin-to-Bristol flight.
Ryanair responded to Kumar Sangakkara’s allegation about the conduct of its gate staff at Dublin Airport, saying he had declined to provide the necessary documentation when requested and later travelled on the scheduled Dublin-to-Bristol flight.
Company response
Clarification — Ryanair
In a statement to Daily Mail Sport, the airline said the passenger had declined to provide the necessary documentation when requested.
Source excerpt
In a statement to Daily Mail Sport, the airline said the passenger had declined to provide the necessary documentation when requested.
Ryanair has responded to Sri Lankan cricket legend Kumar Sangakkara, who accused the airline, following an incident involving the airline’s gate staff at Dublin Airport.
The incident sparked widespread debate after Sangakkara accused Ryanair staff of displaying “discriminatory” and “threatening” behaviour towards him and his family at Dublin Airport.
2020
Ryanair CEO's remarks draw criticism and boycott calls
Public backlash
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary drew criticism after saying single Muslim men were the largest terror threat to airlines and should be profiled at airports. Muslim community leaders condemned the remarks, and some social media users called for a Ryanair boycott.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary drew criticism after saying single Muslim men were the largest terror threat to airlines and should be profiled at airports. Muslim community leaders condemned the remarks, and some social media users called for a Ryanair boycott.
Source excerpt
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary is drawing criticism for stating that single, Muslim men are the largest terror threat to airlines and that they should be profiled at airports.
Some Twitter users called for a boycott of Ryanair.
The Muslim Council of Britain called O’Leary’s remarks "racist and discriminatory.”
2006
Ryanair Caught Napping investigation
A Channel 4 Dispatches programme alleged weaknesses in training, security procedures, aircraft hygiene and staff morale. Ryanair denied the allegations and disputed parts of the programme’s supporting material.