Michael O'Leary speech

fr336

Over an hour long including Q&A.

Brief mention in the Q&A of technological revolutions of the future "screwing the airline industry" - he mentioned the usual one of being able to be beamed from one place to another. He called it some sort of similar Star Trek invention. Worryingly, he sounded serious in terms of the long term (perhaps in a 30 something's lifetime?) future :pac:

Not promising anything much more interesting than that but I do find him a brilliant listen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oh5KqaiaLDU

Tenger

Yup. Listened to it a few days ago. (In the background as I did other stuff) He is his usual abrasive self. However I do acknowledge that he knows what he is talking about even if I dislike where he see's the industry going. Repeats the mantra of "only 5 big airlines in Europe within 10 years".

Nothing earth shattering discussed. He does make a bit point about the problem of the Shared European Sky in ATC terms. (It was at an ATC Mgmt conference) He argues that seperate and competing ATC zones would promote efficiency's that have happened in other sectors. Another point was the need to remove 'right to strike' from ATCO's as they are vital for industry and tourism in Europe.

notharrypotter

Another point was the need to remove 'right to strike' from ATCO's as they are vital for industry and tourism in Europe.

Why is it that everyone seems hell bent on precluding anyone involved in aviation from having the basic right to stand up for themselves?

the_monkey

You think it's true about only 5 big airlines in Europe in 10 years time ??

I can't imagine it tbh..

I can't see Ryanair overtaking, Lufthansa,Iberia,Air France, SwissAir, British Airways etc...

suasdaguna2

notharrypotter wrote: »

Why is it that everyone seems hell bent on precluding anyone involved in aviation from having the basic right to stand up for themselves?

In fairness to Michael, he's correct re the french atc guys....on a whim they down tools and utterly grind western european aviation to a halt. Their last throwing the toys out of the cot session recently was a disgrace.......middle of summer and ruined travel plans for many......?

Interesting last question by a Portuguese gentleman to Michael who embarrassingly mistook him for a french guy re datalink on his planes......Michael genuinely didnt have a clue what it was which i find strange as the next big move across europe will be cpdlc etc. There is less chit chat with Air traffic contollers now when using datalink / cpdlc now on a flight when entering Shannon airspace en route to boston/new york/chicago and vica versa now than a flight from London to Dublin.

Jack1985

He sometimes actually makes good points, but then completely over clouds what I viewed as good points in bull. What the f*ck is his problem with actually speaking factually? Every single thing he mentioned something about EI was incorrect - Since when is EI compared to Aegean? He really needs to get over the fact he failed to get his hands on Aer Lingus 3 times over. His other colleagues have. ''We are the monster, they're the regional'' - Why the comparison? Is he that sore that the airline he nearly closed down pre 2010 (RE) nearly closed his Dublin - Prestwick route that he had to switch to GLA? Or that, the same airline is actually drawing more passengers when competing in the regional UK cities e.g. to BRS/EDI/NCL. He goes on about how nobody wants to fly turbo's or connect, well the facts speak against the guy in staggering figures.

suasdaguna2

Jack, re Michael and AL....his comments of goliath and minnow. The only comment i can make here and i am not endorsing what he says......just go to App flightradar24 and use the filter to show FR planes in the air over europe and do the same re EI. Its just plain frightening how big FR is and How small EI is. I was down in faro area recently and every second take off from the airport was FR.

Jack1985

suasdaguna2 wrote: »

Jack, re Michael and AL....his comments of goliath and minnow. The only comment i can make here and i am not endorsing what he says......just go to App flightradar24 and use the filter to show FR planes in the air over europe and do the same re EI. Its just plain frightening how big FR is and How small EI is. I was down in faro area recently and every second take off from the airport was FR.

And I agree, Ryanair is a major Irish success story operating pan-European, as Europe's largest carrier. That is not Aer Lingus fortey - Aer Lingus is an Irish airline, with an Irish brand selling Irish service - It's niche is its product, Ireland - Aer Lingus is actually the larger carrier operating to/from Ireland, and the company has been profitable for years - The conflict of interest he has as a shareholder is just staggering.

folbotcar

Yes I did that a couple of times with flightradar 24. It is extraordinary how many FR are out there a given time.

Brief mention in the Q&A of technological revolutions of the future "screwing the airline industry" - he mentioned the usual one of being able to be beamed from one place to another. He called it some sort of similar Star Trek invention.

When I was a kid and desperately dreamt of being a pilot when I grew up! (Hmm someone should have slapped me around the head and told me to become an accountant and so buy my own plane!) I used to worry that aircraft would be obsolete by the time I was old enough. Given the pace of technology at the time and exciting science fiction it was believable. By now there'd be moon bases and a colony on Mars and we'd travel everywhere on Earth in undersea supersonic trains.

I needn't have worried.

suasdaguna2

Jack1985 wrote: »

- The conflict of interest he has as a shareholder is just staggering.

Agree 100%. Is this issue not being addressed re his share holding to be reduced or is this as suspected being appealed and appealed agin in the courts? Sorry for thread drift but its relevant in a small way

Jack1985

suasdaguna2 wrote: »

Agree 100%. Is this issue not being addressed re his share holding to be reduced or is this as suspected being appealed and appealed agin in the courts? Sorry for thread drift but its relevant in a small way

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the UK, made its ruling that Ryanair had to reduce its stake from 29.8% to not above 5% - Nothing has happened yet, but its subject to an appeal by FR I believe.

Terrontress

the_monkey wrote: »

You think it's true about only 5 big airlines in Europe in 10 years time ??

I can't imagine it tbh..

I can't see Ryanair overtaking, Lufthansa,Iberia,Air France, SwissAir, British Airways etc...

There could be consolidation. Of those you mention, Lufthansa owns Swiss, IAG owns Iberia and BA. Air France also own KLM. We probably aren't too far from five big European air passenger companies now, depending on your definition of big. We have more than five big brands though.

fr336

Jack1985 wrote: »

He sometimes actually makes good points, but then completely over clouds what I viewed as good points in bull. What the f*ck is his problem with actually speaking factually? Every single thing he mentioned something about EI was incorrect - Since when is EI compared to Aegean? He really needs to get over the fact he failed to get his hands on Aer Lingus 3 times over. His other colleagues have. ''We are the monster, they're the regional'' - Why the comparison? Is he that sore that the airline he nearly closed down pre 2010 (RE) nearly closed his Dublin - Prestwick route that he had to switch to GLA? Or that, the same airline is actually drawing more passengers when competing in the regional UK cities e.g. to BRS/EDI/NCL. He goes on about how nobody wants to fly turbo's or connect, well the facts speak against the guy in staggering figures.

I never knew this about RE, Jack. Maybe they're underselling themselves publicity wise. Mind you if they came on too strong FR would probably really go after them.

fr336

folbotcar wrote: »

When I was a kid and desperately dreamt of being a pilot when I grew up! (Hmm someone should have slapped me around the head and told me to become an accountant and so buy my own plane!) I used to worry that aircraft would be obsolete by the time I was old enough. Given the pace of technology at the time and exciting science fiction it was believable. By now there'd be moon bases and a colony on Mars and we'd travel everywhere on Earth in undersea supersonic trains.

I needn't have worried.

It still sounds crazy for sure, but these past 10-15 years have been incredible in terms of technology revolution. Ok what MOL calls Star Trek is very much just that, I really can't imagine it whereas what we have today wasn't bonkers, but still....

christy c

Jack1985 wrote: »

He sometimes actually makes good points, but then completely over clouds what I viewed as good points in bull. What the f*ck is his problem with actually speaking factually? Every single thing he mentioned something about EI was incorrect - Since when is EI compared to Aegean? He really needs to get over the fact he failed to get his hands on Aer Lingus 3 times over. His other colleagues have. ''We are the monster, they're the regional'' - Why the comparison? Is he that sore that the airline he nearly closed down pre 2010 (RE) nearly closed his Dublin - Prestwick route that he had to switch to GLA? Or that, the same airline is actually drawing more passengers when competing in the regional UK cities e.g. to BRS/EDI/NCL. He goes on about how nobody wants to fly turbo's or connect, well the facts speak against the guy in staggering figures.

Comparing Aer Lingus to Aegean is wrong, agreed.

Re why the comparison- we are the monster. Well it's the truth isn't it? He's proud of what he achieved, so why can't he? I know he's using a different definition of regional but still

And no one wanting to connect/fly turbo props- I'd say most don't want to but have no choice. E.g to fly to Moscow you would need to connect, would there be as many connecting if there was a direct flight?

Jack1985

I never knew this about RE, Jack. Maybe they're underselling themselves publicity wise. Mind you if they came on too strong FR would probably really go after them.

From Aer Lingus and Stobart Air point of view to engage in a publicity spat with FR would be pointless, that's why Aer Lingus Group let's the facts speak for themselves. And that's the best way to deal with FR, facts before bull - Which MOL needs to learn bigtime, for a man near his 60's who is still that desperate for free press he has to bulls*it continually is actually laughable.

christy c wrote: »

Comparing Aer Lingus to Aegean is wrong, agreed.

Re why the comparison- we are the monster. Well it's the truth isn't it? He's proud of what he achieved, so why can't he? I know he's using a different definition of regional but still

And no one wanting to connect/fly turbo props- I'd say most don't want to but have no choice. E.g to fly to Moscow you would need to connect, would there be as many connecting if there was a direct flight?

The reason I don't get the comparison is Aer Lingus' is never going to be the goliath when it operates primarily from Ireland - So he knows that, it's just he continually likes to show how better he is, when he clearly has some deep rooted reason that he wants Aer Lingus' so bad he has to say it continually.

My point in relation to flying turboprops and connecting was in relation to the Aer Lingus Regional operation, in staggering numbers people are flying on the Regional routes and also in equally staggering figures connecting from the UK via DUB to the US onto Mainline and also connecting from mainline via DUB to the US.

fr336

I regard MOL as mainly an entertainer in public - it's an act which has worked very well for him.

Jack1985

fr336 wrote: »

I regard MOL as mainly an entertainer in public - it's an act which has worked very well for him.

Lol agreed, it's a pity though because he makes very good points on occasion, speaks a lot of sense and for me over clouds all of the good with teenage outbursts of factually incorrect information which I'm surprised sometimes Aer Lingus hasn't gone after him for libel for, but sure what's the point with him!

fr336

Jack1985 wrote: »

Lol agreed, it's a pity though because he makes very good points on occasion, speaks a lot of sense and for me over clouds all of the good with teenage outbursts of factually incorrect information which I'm surprised sometimes Aer Lingus hasn't gone after him for libel for, but sure what's the point with him!

You've got to love him for standing in front of a room full of air traffic control managers and slagging them to their faces I'm smiling even writing it

Jack1985

fr336 wrote: »

You've got to love him for standing in front of a room full of air traffic control managers and slagging them to their faces I'm smiling even writing it

He even said that, ''other airlines agree with me, just want me to say it'' I think he will be the only person in aviation to ever get away with the stuff he says.

christy c

Jack1985 wrote: »

The reason I don't get the comparison is Aer Lingus' is never going to be the goliath when it operates primarily from Ireland - So he knows that, it's just he continually likes to show how better he is, when he clearly has some deep rooted reason that he wants Aer Lingus' so bad he has to say it

Aer Lingus tried to operate outside Ireland (Gatwick) and failed. FR tried it and were enormously successful so it's still a valid comparison and he's quite entitled to say it

fr336

christy c wrote: »

Aer Lingus tried to operate outside Ireland (Gatwick) and failed. FR tried it and were enormously successful so it's still a valid comparison and he's quite entitled to say it

Ah I thought I remembered EI at Gatwick - where did they go to?

That was quite a time ago I seem to recall?

Jack1985

christy c wrote: »

Aer Lingus tried to operate outside Ireland (Gatwick) and failed. FR tried it and were enormously successful so it's still a valid comparison and he's quite entitled to say it

Repeatedly at nearly every conference? For his own massive ego maybe.

Ah I thought I remembered EI at Gatwick - where did they go to?

The Gatwick operation wasn't successfully run, it was another Mannion era (you'll hear his name quite a lot) ridiculous pursuit of growth.

christy c

Jack1985 wrote: »

Repeatedly at nearly every conference? For his own massive ego maybe.

Nearly all of his conference sound the exact same except for a few new jokes thrown in. Still no reason why he can't say it everyday if he wants, they do compete with each other in Ireland

Jack1985

christy c wrote: »

Nearly all of his conference sound the exact same except for a few new jokes thrown in. Still no reason why he can't say it everyday if he wants, they do compete with each other in Ireland

So you're saying throwing out the comments he does is an acceptable way to do business? Probably yes for him at FR - But have you once seen the competition including Aer Lingus and easyJet behave or comment the way he does? And who has the better brand image? Not FR. Exactly why shareholders wanted him to remove himself from the limelight. Grand way to talk to your mates, but it gets pathetic at times. The joke about the Queen infront of a group of MPs, like something you'd say in your teens - even if funny. And there's more, the Boeing 9/11 comments etc. Listen he does a good job, but he has the behaviour span and attitude of a teen.

IngazZagni

Jack1985 wrote: »

So you're saying throwing out the comments he does is an acceptable way to do business? Probably yes for him at FR - But have you once seen the competition including Aer Lingus and easyJet behave or comment the way he does? And who has the better brand image? Not FR. Exactly why shareholders wanted him to remove himself from the limelight. Grand way to talk to your mates, but it gets pathetic at times. The joke about the Queen infront of a group of MPs, like something you'd say in your teens - even if funny. And there's more, the Boeing 9/11 comments etc. Listen he does a good job, but he has the behaviour span and attitude of a teen.

MOL has been like this for well over a decade now. Look at them then and look at them now. Did people say he was arrogant back then? Of course they did. Did Ryanair have a poor reputation back then? Yes it did! But the company has gone from strength to strength in that time frame. MOL is not saying anything other companies don't think.

The time has come for FR to change its tune and even Mick knows that but a leopard never changes its spots and given the freedom to do it MOL will be his usual self up on stage.

Watch as the company will grow from 300 aircraft to over 400 by 2019 and from 82 million pax to over 110 million pax per annum in the same time frame. He will still be the man we love to hate.

christy c

Jack1985 wrote: »

So you're saying throwing out the comments he does is an acceptable way to do business? Probably yes for him at FR - But have you once seen the competition including Aer Lingus and easyJet behave or comment the way he does? And who has the better brand image? Not FR. Exactly why shareholders wanted him to remove himself from the limelight. Grand way to talk to your mates, but it gets pathetic at times. The joke about the Queen infront of a group of MPs, like something you'd say in your teens - even if funny. And there's more, the Boeing 9/11 comments etc. Listen he does a good job, but he has the behaviour span and attitude of a teen.

Aer Lingus better brand image? Debatable, fly with an airline who's CEO likes to talk or an airline who could be on strike when you want to fly. I know many who choose FR for this very reason, particularly in the last few months

For FR and their shareholders it was a very acceptable way of doing business, look how their share price rose over the last number of years. And don't forget it was a small number of shareholders who brought up MOL's attitude. Not as acceptable anymore, but stating a fact that Ryanair is a Goliath compared to Aer Lingus is perfectly acceptable, still.

And anyway my point was that he uses the same material at every conference, which is why he says things repeatedly as you put it. Probably to save himself time preparing slides

folbotcar

It amuses me to read complaints about MOLs stand up routine. So what? People often also complain today's celebrity obsessed culture and the newsstands and internet are full of stories of semi talented actors, singers and the rest.

MOL is a celebrity too with one difference He's one of the most successful businessmen Ireland have ever produced. His business brain has placed Ryanair among the top airlines in the world by whatever criterion you want to use. Oh yes and Ryanair makes a profit which is more than can be said for far too many airlines. It's often said that Ryanair is the single biggest factor in making low cost air travel available to everyone in Europe.

But let's ignore that, why don't we just make vacuous comments about his demeanour during speeches and presentations. While completely ignoring the fact that the only reason most of us ever look at these videos is because of the dare I say it: 'X factor'.

When is the last time you watched a video of Willie Walsh or Herr Mueller? Never? Yes thought so.

Tenger

folbotcar wrote: »

......
MOL is a celebrity too with one difference He's one of the most successful businessmen Ireland have ever produced. His business brain has placed Ryanair among the top airlines in the world by whatever criterion you want to use. ......

........It's often said that Ryanair is the single biggest factor in making low cost air travel available to everyone in Europe...............

When is the last time you watched a video of Willie Walsh or Herr Mueller? Never? Yes thought so.

A: Whatever your personal opinion I can't see ow anyone could deny his success nd business acumen. I have only met him 2-3 times and he is not the rude obnoxious heckler you see in his PR speeches.

B: I would agree, Ryanair broke the mould for European airtravel. I would not however say that only they could have done so. They had the right CEO and the right set-up just as the Eurozone and booming exonomy make foreign weekend travel a reality.

C: Last March when EI published their full year results. Also I watched the speech of Mueller in SFO. I tried to follow the last BA results but its was too much IAG for my liking.

folbotcar

A: I agree, never met him but various people who have say the same. But I'll bet he breathes fire when you let him down and many a person has left a meeting with him trembling. The man I work for is pretty similar, charming when he needs to be but a Tiger if you mess him about.

B: I agree to some extent but I've been involved with someone who started a business during the boom which became more successful during the recession and who is now poised to expand in a very exciting direction for aviation in this country. Going from an outsider to the go to man in a few short years. You can guess who is hero is! Meanwhile his rivals fall to one side. Too small time.

The point being the fact that the opportunities were there doesn't mean everyone has the business nous to exploit them. O'Leary has that plus the ruthlessness and drive to carry it through. Right man, right time, you need both.

C: Well Ok I grant you that.

suasdaguna2

I sometimes feel he tries to be the circus ringmaster re working a room re his quips and worst of all some bad language which is unacceptable. Other than that the man is a legend where fellas at his juncture would gracefully retire. Michael just wants to work and work hard. Apart from aviation he's a huge giver to the equine industry.

I respect him immensely.