Ryanair claims to be Europe's greenest airline
Ryanair has rejected a British minister’s criticism as "foolish nonsense".
UK Environment Minister Ian Pearson had accused the airline of refusing to take the issue of greenhouse gas emissions seriously.
But Ryanair has rejected the criticism as "foolish nonsense". Spokesperson Peter Sherrard said Ryanair is in fact Europe's greenest airline by far:
"While the minister has been talking nonsense we been spending in excess of $10bn (€7.6bn) over the last five years in buying the most modern, youngest and fuel-efficient fleet of Boeing aircraft that exists in Europe and in so doing reduced per passenger fuel consumption by 45% and CO2 emissions by 50% per seat," he said.
Meanwhile, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary said: "Being attacked by Minister Pearson (reminds me of Denis Healy’s famous quip) …. Is like "being savaged by a dead sheep". It is clear that Minister Pearson hasn’t a clue what he’s talking about."
