Menu
03/06/2010
Ryanair Brands MLA Wilson 'Fat Cat'
Ryanair's Stephen McNamara has branded the Northern Ireland Finance Minister a "fat cat" during a row over the budget flyer's baggage costs.
Yesterday, the DUP MLA Sammy Wilson commented in a Northern newspaper that travel makers should "take their custom elsewhere" due to Ryanair's new increased costs introduced for the peak summer months.
Under the system, the charge for a first bag checked into the hold through Ryanair’s website is to increase from £15 to £20 per flight during July and August with a second bag costing £40 instead of £35.
Additionally, anyone who is unable to check in online will be charged £40 for their first bag and £80 for the second when they arrive at the airport.
Minister Wilson said the price increases illustrated Ryanair had only "contempt for its customers" and that it was inevitable some customers would be hit with the price hikes as "not everybody can check in online because not everybody will have the capability to do it" and added that the increase would affect families badly.
However, today, Ryanair's Stephen McNamara, referring to the Stormont Minister as "Fat Cat Sammy Wilson", said Mr Wilson was out of touch with how families travelled and criticised the Department of Finance for "allowing civil servants to overspend on travel, at the taxpayers' expense, even though they are obliged to use the most efficient and economic form of transport".
After explaining that Ryanair was Europe's "largest and most successful airline as passengers "just can't get enough", Mr McNamara added: "Sammy does not know that because he and the rest of the fat cat Ministers and civil servants continue to waste taxpayers money by flying on high fares airlines to avoid ordinary people who depend on Ryanair's low fares."
(DW/GK)
Yesterday, the DUP MLA Sammy Wilson commented in a Northern newspaper that travel makers should "take their custom elsewhere" due to Ryanair's new increased costs introduced for the peak summer months.
Under the system, the charge for a first bag checked into the hold through Ryanair’s website is to increase from £15 to £20 per flight during July and August with a second bag costing £40 instead of £35.
Additionally, anyone who is unable to check in online will be charged £40 for their first bag and £80 for the second when they arrive at the airport.
Minister Wilson said the price increases illustrated Ryanair had only "contempt for its customers" and that it was inevitable some customers would be hit with the price hikes as "not everybody can check in online because not everybody will have the capability to do it" and added that the increase would affect families badly.
However, today, Ryanair's Stephen McNamara, referring to the Stormont Minister as "Fat Cat Sammy Wilson", said Mr Wilson was out of touch with how families travelled and criticised the Department of Finance for "allowing civil servants to overspend on travel, at the taxpayers' expense, even though they are obliged to use the most efficient and economic form of transport".
After explaining that Ryanair was Europe's "largest and most successful airline as passengers "just can't get enough", Mr McNamara added: "Sammy does not know that because he and the rest of the fat cat Ministers and civil servants continue to waste taxpayers money by flying on high fares airlines to avoid ordinary people who depend on Ryanair's low fares."
(DW/GK)
Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 February 2009
Cowen Chops Fat Cat Wages
The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that all the top bankers of recapitalised banks are to take a 25% pay cut. Earlier this week, Mr Cowen said the Government was planning to inject €8bn of taxpayers' money into AIB and Bank of Ireland to help them through the credit crunch, but now he wants Bank leaders to be penalized for the taxpayer handout.
Cowen Chops Fat Cat Wages
The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that all the top bankers of recapitalised banks are to take a 25% pay cut. Earlier this week, Mr Cowen said the Government was planning to inject €8bn of taxpayers' money into AIB and Bank of Ireland to help them through the credit crunch, but now he wants Bank leaders to be penalized for the taxpayer handout.
07 October 2014
Delays At Airport After Planes Clip On Runway
Minor delays were caused at Dublin Airport this morning after two Ryanair flights clipped each other while taxing to a runway. According to witnesses one plane lost a small section of its wing when it clipped another plane. No one was injured in the incident and the airport quickly returned to normal.
Delays At Airport After Planes Clip On Runway
Minor delays were caused at Dublin Airport this morning after two Ryanair flights clipped each other while taxing to a runway. According to witnesses one plane lost a small section of its wing when it clipped another plane. No one was injured in the incident and the airport quickly returned to normal.
09 March 2011
UUP/SDLP To Defy Stormont Budget
The leader of the mainly nationalist SDLP, Margaret Ritchie has revealed that the SDLP will attempt to amend the final Stormont Finance Bill before it passes through the North's Assembly today.
UUP/SDLP To Defy Stormont Budget
The leader of the mainly nationalist SDLP, Margaret Ritchie has revealed that the SDLP will attempt to amend the final Stormont Finance Bill before it passes through the North's Assembly today.
10 December 2009
Budget Defended In Dáil Debate
The Dáil will today debate cuts in social welfare rates when it discusses legislation to enable measures outlined in yesterday's full Irish Budget. It saw public servants and social welfare recipients being hit by €4 billion in spending cuts announced by Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan.
Budget Defended In Dáil Debate
The Dáil will today debate cuts in social welfare rates when it discusses legislation to enable measures outlined in yesterday's full Irish Budget. It saw public servants and social welfare recipients being hit by €4 billion in spending cuts announced by Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan.
04 June 2008
Ryanair Fares To Stay Low Despite Soaring Fuel Costs
Ryanair is planning to ground up to 10% of his fleet this winter in a move to counter crippling airport charges. While the Irish budget airline saw full year after-tax net profits rise by 10% - other reports have cited 20% - to £381 million, the doubling of landing and handling charges by operator BAA still requires the carrier to cut costs.
Ryanair Fares To Stay Low Despite Soaring Fuel Costs
Ryanair is planning to ground up to 10% of his fleet this winter in a move to counter crippling airport charges. While the Irish budget airline saw full year after-tax net profits rise by 10% - other reports have cited 20% - to £381 million, the doubling of landing and handling charges by operator BAA still requires the carrier to cut costs.
-
Ireland WeatherToday:Gale, coastal severe gale, northwest winds ease from late afternoon. Scattered showers will fall as snow over the hills at first, becoming isolated from mid-afternoon. Maximum temperature 7 °C.Tonight:Showers, scattered in the evening, will clear by midnight leaving the night dry with clear spells. Cloud will spread east towards morning. Minimum temperature 2 °C.
