Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary apologises for calling other airlines including British Airways and Lufthansa 'rapists'

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has apologised 'sincerely and unreservedly' after comparing competitor airlines to 'rapists'.The billionaire faced a barrage of criticism from victims' groups and politicians in the UK and Ireland after saying it was 'absolutely' appropriate to make the comparison.But 10 days after doubling down on the remarks, Mr O'Leary said he had reflected on his words and is 'truly sorry for the offence and the upset I have caused'.He added that he will 'try to learn from the mistake and do better'.In a video message posted to YouTube on Friday, he said: 'Last week at a press conference in Dublin I used the term "rapist" to describe the high fares of our competitor airlines. 'I was quizzed by the press if I was trivialising rape. I replied by asserting my firm belief that rape is a heinous and terrible crime which cannot be trivialised. 'I believe I couldn't have been clearer in this regard.'In conversations with family and friends, both inside and outside of Ryanair over the last 10 days, I've come to realise however that the word I used so carelessly has caused wider considerable upset and offence to a wide number of people, especially to victims and survivors. Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has apologised 'sincerely and unreservedly' after comparing competitor airlines to 'rapists'. Pictured: The CEO in Dublin last week Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary made the comments before the airline's AGM in Dublin last week'I want to apologise sincerely and unreservedly to those people, especially to the survivors.'I am truly sorry for the offence and the upset I have caused you by my careless use of those words. It won't happen again.'Mr O'Leary had previously been urged to offer a 'swift apology' by Rachel Morrogh, chief executive of Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC), who said his statement had trivialised rape.She had also written to Mr O'Leary to offer him free training on sexual violence and the impact it has on people who experienced it.But despite calls to do so, the airline executive refused to apologise. Mr O'Leary said last Friday: 'Since I certainly did not trivialise the heinous crime of rape, I will certainly not be issuing any apology or accepting your offer of training.'He said comments from the DRCC that his remarks 'perpetuate dismissive attitudes to survivors of rape' were 'both false and defamatory', adding that he 'clearly asserted' that rape is a 'heinous crime' and 'accordingly its survivors are victims of a heinous crime'.Ms Morrogh previously said she was 'dismayed' at Mr O'Leary's 'lazy and uninformed comments', adding: 'For many survivors of rape, his words will be deeply hurtful and angering to hear.'The UK's Transport Secretary also waded into the furore and said Ryanair will have lost the confidence of women who have been subject to sexual assault.Asked for her thoughts on Mr O'Leary's comments, Heidi Alexander told LBC: 'I've learnt in this job in the last two years that Mr O'Leary is often quick to share his considered thoughts with me and with the wider world.'I would say that women who have been raped and who have been subjected to such appalling violence, I'm not sure they're going to be rushing to book tickets with him, let's be honest.'Mr O'Leary made the comment ahead of his airline's annual general meeting in Dublin yesterday. He claimed rising air travel prices at other airlines would see passengers switch to Ryanair.Mr O'Leary told reporters at the company's headquarters: 'You might find some people will choose not to fly with Ryanair – but you know they'll be overrun with the people abandoning Aer Lingus, Lufthansa, BA, and others desperate to get to Ryanair's low fares because they can't afford to fly with the high-fare rapists around Europe.'He later repeated the 'high-fare rapists' comments.Asked whether this was appropriate language, Mr O'Leary told reporters: 'Absolutely.'Challenged on whether it was offensive to victims of rape and sexual assault, he said he would 'happily offend' the airlines mentioned.Further pressed on whether the language was trivialising rape, he said: 'That's what I call high-fare airlines like Lufthansa, BA and others.'Rape Crisis England and Wales chief executive Ciara Bergman previously said the comparison was 'shameful and embarrassing' as well as 'deeply insulting to survivors of rape and sexual abuse'.She added: 'I would be more than happy to meet with Mr O'Leary, CEO to CEO, to explain the work Rape Crisis and our members do to challenge the idea that sexual violence is a topic which can or should be trivialised – ever'.Katie Kempen, the chief executive at Victim Support in England and Wales said the remarks were 'appalling', 'offensive', 'completely unacceptable and deeply insulting to survivors of rape and sexual abuse'.Ireland's Public Expenditure Minister and Fianna Fáil deputy leader Jack Chambers said: 'I think his comments were shocking, and I support what the National Women's Council have said and others in condemning his comments, and he should withdraw them.'We should never put victims in that light in the context of competition in aviation.'Ireland's deputy premier Simon Harris said the comments were 'clearly an inappropriate use of language' and Mr O'Leary 'should have moved to rectify it'.Asked if he should apologise, Mr Harris told reporters at an event for his Fine Gael party: 'I think he should listen to the experts and there's been many out today.'A spokesman for Fórsa, a union representing Ryanair cabin crew in Ireland, described Mr O'Leary's comments as 'deeply inappropriate'.Ruth Coppinger, a Socialist Party TD in Ireland, said: 'I think it's disgusting that Michael O'Leary would trivialise rape and sexual assault by bandying around the word 'rapists' in order to get a provocative soundbite and get covered in the media in relation to other airlines.'Ms Coppinger said Mr O'Leary should 'apologise' and 'withdraw' the remarks.The National Women's Council of Ireland executive director Corrinne Hasson said the remarks about rape are 'completely inappropriate and deeply offensive to survivors of sexual violence'.She added: 'Comparing rape to selling airline tickets undermines the experiences and trauma of survivors.'Flippant comments like this show a lack of understanding about rape culture and form part of the bedrock which allows violence against women to thrive in our society.'Irish Labour senator Laura Harmon called on the Ryanair chief to engage with the Rape Crisis Centre to better understand the 'horrific trauma of surviving sexual assault'.She said: 'It is shameful to see O'Leary diminish the real experience of these survivors in such a way.'Reports conducted by organisations like the National Women's Council of Ireland often detail the systemic challenges victims of domestic violence are faced with when they look for help – through the courts and the legal system, and through first responders like the Gardaí.'Having O'Leary make such ignorant comments only adds to this. I would urge him to come out and apologise today, and commit to informing himself about the real trauma of sexual violence.'