"We are happy to do it"

Low-cost airline boss wants to operate deportation flights

O'Leary is known for his unconventional management style and controversial statements.

(Bild: APA/HELMUT FOHRINGER)

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary is known for unusual marketing campaigns, and now he is getting involved in a current political debate. While the UK is still debating the controversial deportation flights to Rwanda, he is offering his aircraft for this purpose - but only with one catch.

The action would be quite tricky - the British government's plan is to ignore interim injunctions from the European Court of Human Rights and deport illegal immigrants to Rwanda by air.

As "Bloomberg" has now reported, the low-cost airline Ryanair would like to make some money from this. The company would be "happy" to operate these flights, CEO O'Leary told the newspaper. Although there have not yet been any talks with the government, the company is prepared to provide free aircraft for this purpose, he added.

The deportations are intended to deter migrants from crossing to the UK, which is not only legally tricky, but the question is also whether this will have the desired effect.

(Bild: BMI)

Flights "gladly", but only in the "winter flight schedule"
 However, there is one significant restriction: the deportation flights should only be carried out in Ryanair's "winter flight schedule" if the company has sufficient free aircraft available; in the summer months this would not be feasible, according to O'Leary.

Once again, it is questionable how seriously the company boss takes his offer, as polarizing statements are his trademark. For example, he recently described concerns about climate change as "utter nonsense" and publicly stated that he would soon introduce an extra fee for overweight passengers.

Deportation plan divides the UK
The fact that he is taking up such a topical political discussion seems unusual, but the issue itself is certainly dividing the debate in the UK. The British parliament only approved the deportation plans on Tuesday night after a long dispute. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak hopes that this will deter migrants from making the dangerous crossing across the English Channel.

However, experts doubt that the plan will have the desired effect. There is also criticism that the UK is paying hundreds of millions of pounds to Rwanda, but it is likely that only a fraction of those who enter the country irregularly will be deported. The project is also fraught with legal uncertainties. Two years ago, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) stopped the first attempt at an asylum pact with Rwanda with a temporary injunction.