12/02/2010
O'Leary Makes Bizarre Easyjet Challenge
Ryaniar's eccentric Chief Executive Michael O'Leary has put a challenge to the boss of Easyjet in order to settle a dispute – a race around Trafalgar square.
The challenge came as Easyjet lawyers contacted Ryanair over a picture it had posted of Easyjet owner Stelios Haji-Ioannou, depicted him as Pinocchio.
Today's bizarre response was in the form of a personal challenge from Michael O'Leary (pictured above, promoting his airline on an earlier occasion).
It suggests that he and Stelios take part in a "Chariots of Fire" race around Trafalgar Square to settle the dispute.
In a statement on the Ryanair website today, Michael O'Leary – who was subtitled as Usain Bolt – said: "I am currently in rigorous training and believe that my daily regime of 40 cigarettes, 24 beers and extended sessions on the couch watching TV, leaves me in perfect shape to beat Stelios in a 21st Century version of the "Chariots of Fire" race around Trafalgar Square.
"We believe this race will be a much better use of Stelios' time rather than paying expensive lawyers to issue vacuous threats, when both Stelios and EasyJet know they can’t compete with Ryanair's prices and they can’t match our punctuality either.
"If Stelios is too "tired" to run, then I will offer him the alternative of a wheelbarrow race around Trafalgar Square, with the winner taking all. Win or lose, at least Stelios and EasyJet will save a fortune on expensive lawyers fees. No expensive lawyers can alter the facts, compared to Ryanair, easyJet is a high fares airline, and an always late airline.
"See you in Trafalgar Square Stelios!"
There has been no response from Easyjet.
(DW/GK)
The challenge came as Easyjet lawyers contacted Ryanair over a picture it had posted of Easyjet owner Stelios Haji-Ioannou, depicted him as Pinocchio.
Today's bizarre response was in the form of a personal challenge from Michael O'Leary (pictured above, promoting his airline on an earlier occasion).
It suggests that he and Stelios take part in a "Chariots of Fire" race around Trafalgar Square to settle the dispute.
In a statement on the Ryanair website today, Michael O'Leary – who was subtitled as Usain Bolt – said: "I am currently in rigorous training and believe that my daily regime of 40 cigarettes, 24 beers and extended sessions on the couch watching TV, leaves me in perfect shape to beat Stelios in a 21st Century version of the "Chariots of Fire" race around Trafalgar Square.
"We believe this race will be a much better use of Stelios' time rather than paying expensive lawyers to issue vacuous threats, when both Stelios and EasyJet know they can’t compete with Ryanair's prices and they can’t match our punctuality either.
"If Stelios is too "tired" to run, then I will offer him the alternative of a wheelbarrow race around Trafalgar Square, with the winner taking all. Win or lose, at least Stelios and EasyJet will save a fortune on expensive lawyers fees. No expensive lawyers can alter the facts, compared to Ryanair, easyJet is a high fares airline, and an always late airline.
"See you in Trafalgar Square Stelios!"
There has been no response from Easyjet.
(DW/GK)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
15 May 2009
Flu-Hit Mexico Honeymooner 'Recovering Well'
The 'honeymoon period' has proved short-lived for one NI couple, as the first case of swine flu confirmed in the province is believed to be a newlywed groom. He had just returned from a honeymoon in Mexico, (whose flag, La Bandera de México, is pictured) before falling ill.
Flu-Hit Mexico Honeymooner 'Recovering Well'
The 'honeymoon period' has proved short-lived for one NI couple, as the first case of swine flu confirmed in the province is believed to be a newlywed groom. He had just returned from a honeymoon in Mexico, (whose flag, La Bandera de México, is pictured) before falling ill.
13 November 2020
Belfast International Airport To Begin Rolling Closures
Belfast International Airport will start rolling closures as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. According to reports, the Airport has taken the decision to close when there no scheduled commercial flights after carriers easyJet and Ryanair announced that they were cutting a number of flights.
Belfast International Airport To Begin Rolling Closures
Belfast International Airport will start rolling closures as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. According to reports, the Airport has taken the decision to close when there no scheduled commercial flights after carriers easyJet and Ryanair announced that they were cutting a number of flights.
17 May 2024
Alliance Calls For Urgent Race Relations Strategy
Alliance has called for the urgent implementation of a new Race Relations Strategy, following the news of a rise in race hate incidents. Spokespeople for the Executive Office, Paula Bradshaw, was speaking after figures were released by the PSNI and the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) in a recent report.
Alliance Calls For Urgent Race Relations Strategy
Alliance has called for the urgent implementation of a new Race Relations Strategy, following the news of a rise in race hate incidents. Spokespeople for the Executive Office, Paula Bradshaw, was speaking after figures were released by the PSNI and the NI Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) in a recent report.
21 March 2024
Down Royal Announces Fibrus As New Headline Sponsor
Racegoers of all ages across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to attend Down Royal's brand-new Fibrus Family Race Day taking place on Sunday 14th April 2024. This partnership will see Fibrus secure title naming rights to this year's new race meeting bringing the total number of fixtures at Down Royal in 2024 to fourteen.
Down Royal Announces Fibrus As New Headline Sponsor
Racegoers of all ages across Northern Ireland are being encouraged to attend Down Royal's brand-new Fibrus Family Race Day taking place on Sunday 14th April 2024. This partnership will see Fibrus secure title naming rights to this year's new race meeting bringing the total number of fixtures at Down Royal in 2024 to fourteen.
28 March 2014
DSD To Spend Over £300,000 On Giro Route
Over £300,000 is to be spent on cleaning up the route to be used by the Giro d'Italia cycle race, coming to Northern Ireland for the first time between 09 – 11 May.
DSD To Spend Over £300,000 On Giro Route
Over £300,000 is to be spent on cleaning up the route to be used by the Giro d'Italia cycle race, coming to Northern Ireland for the first time between 09 – 11 May.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.