Chris Bryant, Columnist

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary Deserves His €100 Million Bonus

The budget airline's famously abrasive boss is one of the most successful European CEOs of his generation.

December 19, 2023 at 12:00 AM EST

Chris Bryant is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering industrial companies in Europe. Previously, he was a reporter for the Financial Times.

Michael O'Leary, chief executive officer of Ryanair Holdings Plc.
Photographer: Fausto Podavini/Bloomberg

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If all goes well, Ryanair Holdings Plc boss Michael O’Leary could snag a €100 million ($108 million) bonus in 2024. And while I can’t quite believe I’m saying this, on balance I think he deserves it.

While he’s built Europe’s biggest airline based on passengers carried, and democratized travel by making flights much cheaper, his attitude to customers, employees and the environment has in the past ranged from dismissive to demeaning. Moreover, I’m generally opposed to big rewards going to executives simply for doing their jobs.

Before it’s here, it’s on the Bloomberg Terminal

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