Michael O'Leary: Theresa May 'drinking tea and sake' as Brexit crisis looms

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has criticised Theresa May's decision to visit Japan, claiming she should be in Europe working on Brexit negotiations.

Michael O'Leary: Theresa May 'drinking tea and sake' as Brexit crisis looms

Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has criticised Theresa May's decision to visit Japan, claiming she should be in Europe working on Brexit negotiations.

The airline's chief executive accused the UK Prime Minister of "drinking tea and sake" when there is a "crisis coming down the road".

Mrs May met her counterpart Shinzo Abe for meetings focused on North Korea but also touched on a possible trade deal for when the UK quits the European Union.

Mr O'Leary said he did not have full confidence in Mrs May.

He told Sky News: "I fail to see what she's doing in Japan for three days at the moment, why she's not in Brussels or in Frankfurt or in Paris, which is where these negotiations need to take place.

"She's just come back from three weeks' holidays in the Swiss Alps. Now, everybody is entitled to their holidays, but there's a crisis coming down the road here (for) the UK economy in the next 12 months. Brexit is going to be a disaster for the UK economy.

"She needs to be over there negotiating or at least removing these roadblocks, not swanning around Japan drinking tea and sake."

Later on Thursday Ryanair will announce details of an increase in UK flights next summer, including several new routes.

Mr O'Leary said the Dublin-based carrier is "planning on the basis that somebody in the British Government will sort out Brexit", but added that he does not have "great faith in them at the moment".

He added: "We're going continue to invest in the UK and grow jobs here."

He warned that flights between the UK and the EU will be grounded in summer 2019 if no agreement on aviation is reached as part of the Brexit negotiations by September next year.

"We need to know six months before March 2019," he said.

"If there isn't the likelihood of an agreement there will be skin and hair flying.

"People trying to book their holidays for summer 2019 here in the UK this time next year ... the options will be driving to Scotland or getting a ferry to Ireland."

The single market for aviation, created in the 1990s, means there are no commercial restrictions for airlines flying within the EU.

The UK aviation industry has called for the liberal market to continue after Brexit.

more courts articles

Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother Man (25) in court charged with murdering his father and attempted murder of mother
Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van Man appears in court charged with false imprisonment of woman in van
Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman Man in court over alleged false imprisonment of woman

More in this section

FILE PHOTO The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission has cleared the purchase of Goodbody Stockbrokers by AIB END Goodbody Stockbrokers fined over €1.2m by Central Bank over rules breaches
Nottingham City Centre Stock Irish staff at the Body Shop wait for wages as retailer shuts stores in the Republic
Ryanair comments on Norwegian Ryanair boss O'Leary's spat with Transport Minister over Dublin Airport escalates
IE logo
Devices


UNLIMITED ACCESS TO THE IRISH EXAMINER FOR TEAMS AND ORGANISATIONS
FIND OUT MORE

The Business Hub
Newsletter

News and analysis on business, money and jobs from Munster and beyond by our expert team of business writers.

Sign up
ie logo
Puzzles Logo

Play digital puzzles like crosswords, sudoku and a variety of word games including the popular Word Wheel

Lunchtime News
Newsletter

Keep up with the stories of the day with our lunchtime news wrap.

Sign up
Cookie Policy Privacy Policy Brand Safety FAQ Help Contact Us Terms and Conditions

© Examiner Echo Group Limited