Low cost carrier Ryanair can’t get any love these days. Europe’s original budget airline has gotten tons of press lately. Unfortunately, most of it has been bad. Of course, maybe there are people out there who want to fly an airline with surly flight attendants, lots of noise, and trashy ad campaigns. It could be kind of an adventure.
But when things go to court, the fun and games must cease. BAA (British Airports Authority) is suing Ryanair for unpaid airport fees accrued when the company refused to pay higher landing fees at Stansted Airport.
To Ryanair’s credit, at least they followed up their talk with action. They have been complaining about the higher fees and they haven’t paid them. When the airline’s outspoken chief, Michael O’ Leary, used expletives to describe BAA’s execs, the press ate it up. However, his (winning) personality might not fly in court.
Is this the beginning of the downward spiral for Ryanair? Abrasive behavior will only get you so far. It might be time for O’ Leary and his posse to start making some friends lest they end up with nowhere to land their planes.