Ryanair Launches Advertising Campaign Mocking Spanish Government Amid Fine Dispute
Ryanair's CEO criticizes Spain's Consumer Minister following a significant €179 million fine for alleged abusive practices.
Ryanair's ongoing clash with the Spanish government escalated on February 11, 2025, as the airline launched a provocative advertising campaign targeting Pablo Bustinduy, the Minister of Consumer Affairs, amidst a backdrop of a heavy €179 million fine imposed on the airline.
The fine, part of a collective penalty against five airlines, involves €107 million specifically levied against Ryanair for alleged unfair practices in luggage pricing.
In a statement accompanying the campaign, Ryanair featured CEO Michael O’Leary beside a life-size image of Bustinduy, humorously depicted with a clown nose and multicolored wig.
The company called upon the minister to rescind what it terms 'illegal fines', referencing European Union regulations that it claims are being violated.
The campaign, which prominently appears on Ryanair's social media platforms, includes a message urging customers to 'book at crazy prices (before a clown raises them)'.
O’Leary's statements have drawn attention to his long-standing criticisms of Bustinduy, whom he labeled a 'crazy communist' during a press conference in Brussels in late January.
This advertisement follows Bustinduy's enforcement of the penalty, which Ryanair argues poses a contradiction to EU law and a earlier ruling from the European Court of Justice.
O’Leary indicated that this fine directly contradicted EU regulations designed to prevent political interference in airline pricing.
The airline’s CEO has also criticized what he considers excessive fees imposed by Aena, the Spanish airport management company, of which the Spanish government holds a 51% stake.
These fees have led Ryanair to announce the cancellation of 800,000 seats across several routes to Spain by summer 2025.
Responding to the campaign, Bustinduy reiterated his commitment to consumer protection and defended the legitimacy of the fines imposed, stating that they were based on a 2014 ruling from the European Court of Justice.
He affirmed his intention to uphold consumer rights amid the dispute, emphasizing that neither press campaigns nor insults would deter him from this responsibility.
The fine, part of a collective penalty against five airlines, involves €107 million specifically levied against Ryanair for alleged unfair practices in luggage pricing.
In a statement accompanying the campaign, Ryanair featured CEO Michael O’Leary beside a life-size image of Bustinduy, humorously depicted with a clown nose and multicolored wig.
The company called upon the minister to rescind what it terms 'illegal fines', referencing European Union regulations that it claims are being violated.
The campaign, which prominently appears on Ryanair's social media platforms, includes a message urging customers to 'book at crazy prices (before a clown raises them)'.
O’Leary's statements have drawn attention to his long-standing criticisms of Bustinduy, whom he labeled a 'crazy communist' during a press conference in Brussels in late January.
This advertisement follows Bustinduy's enforcement of the penalty, which Ryanair argues poses a contradiction to EU law and a earlier ruling from the European Court of Justice.
O’Leary indicated that this fine directly contradicted EU regulations designed to prevent political interference in airline pricing.
The airline’s CEO has also criticized what he considers excessive fees imposed by Aena, the Spanish airport management company, of which the Spanish government holds a 51% stake.
These fees have led Ryanair to announce the cancellation of 800,000 seats across several routes to Spain by summer 2025.
Responding to the campaign, Bustinduy reiterated his commitment to consumer protection and defended the legitimacy of the fines imposed, stating that they were based on a 2014 ruling from the European Court of Justice.
He affirmed his intention to uphold consumer rights amid the dispute, emphasizing that neither press campaigns nor insults would deter him from this responsibility.