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RYANAIR HAVE LAUNCHED an aggressive defence of their safety record in the wake of last night’s Dispatches documentary on Channel 4, with CEO Michael O’Leary taking to the radio airwaves this morning to rubbish the claims made.
The programme focused on a survey conducted among a thousand pilots at the airline, which found that more than eight out of ten questioned believe the airline does not have an “open and transparent safety culture”. The survey was commissioned by the Ryanair Pilot Group, which is not recognised by management, but claims to represent more than half of all captains and first officers.
In a number of statements reacting to the programme, Ryanair have highlighted the airline’s “outstanding 29 year safety record”, and this afternoon the Irish Aviation Authority rowed in with its support, saying the programme-makers had carried out a “misguided attack” on the low-cost carrier.
Ryanair have released full details of their correspondence with Blakeway Producations, which made the Dispatches programme. And as you might expect from a company that has regularly hit the headlines as a result of its forthright communications policy, no punches are pulled in its dealing with the producers…
Blakeway Productions begins its engagement with Ryanair, with a letter informing management that Channel 4 plans to broadcast a documentary outlining pilots’ concerns about safety on 12 August. The three page letter details concerns raised by pilots over working conditions and the amount of fuel they have to carry, amongst other issues.
The response from Ryanair’s Head of Communications Robin Kiely is swift (it’s dated the following Monday), and contains this less-than-conciliatory opening:
Your letter of July 26th was emailed at 17.24hrs on a Friday evening – i.e. after office hours…
Before addressing the core claims contained in the production company’s letter, it’s second paragraph makes counter-claims about Channel 4′s record in the area;
Having previously made false and unsubstantiated allegations against Ryanair (using actors to ‘simulate’ cabin crew) it’s surprising that Dispatches are again inventing false and unsubstantiated claims – presumably again using ‘actors’ – to make what are manifestly false claims.
Kiely then goes on to address 12 individual points raised by the programme-makers. This includes the following passages:
Airline safety is a matter of fact and evidence, it is not something that can be traduced to a subjective “survey” organised by an Aer Lingus pilot union which has repeatedly lied about Ryanair’s safety
These so-called “pilots” you have interviewed have misled you. Ryanair’s fuel policy clearly establishes that the final decretion on fuel lies with each captain.
The five page letter is CC-ed to the Chairman of Channel 4 and OFCOM, amongst others. Four appendixes include a statement from the Department of Transport backing the airline’s safety record and and IAA report on an incident where three flights to Madrid were diverted.
Blakeway Productions’ respond by saying the company will address the 12 detailed points, but opens by addressing Ryanair’s claims about the previous Dispatches documentary:
I am informed by Channel 4 that despite your allegations about that programme none of your claims were ever the subject of litigation or complaint to the broadcasting regulator Ofcom [...] no actors were used in the broadcast programme.
The letter then goes on to address Ryanair’s offer of an interview with CEO Michael O’Leary, which the airline had said could be whatever length producers wanted, as long as it was unedited:
…as you know it is not an acceptable condition that any interview not be edited. We would have to ensure that any of the interview used in the programme was relevant and was used in accordance with the Ofcom Broadcasting Code which would of course mean, for example, that the content of the interview was fair to third parties.
1. It is extraordinary that despite the claimed urgency of your 26th July letter, you have failed to address any of the false claims detailed in points 1 – 12 of our 29th July reply, or the absence of any evidence whatsoever to substantiate your heresay and baseless claims. Please now do so by return.
Please now provide us by return, with whatever evidence – as opposed to anonymous hearsay – you have to support the 12 claims you made in your July 26th letter which have been comprehensively disproven by the facts set out in our reply of July 29th. Please also confirm if you wish to take up our offer to interview Michael O’Leary who we repeat is perfectly willing to address address any of these false and hearsay claims as long as his answers are not edited by our Channel 4 Dispatches programme which is clearly attempting to yet again smear Ryanair’s 29 year safety record which the IAA has recently confirmed is “on a par with the SAFEST airlines in Europe”.
…I will respond using your numbering :
1. We have noted all that you have said regarding points 1-12 of your letter of 29th July 2013. Your position will be fairly reflected in the programme when it is broadcast.
We of course would not edit any interview to “suit” a “baseless and inaccurate agenda” as to do so would be in breach of our regulatory Code. However we would retain the right to edit any such interview fairly and accurately. Does Mr O’Leary agree to give an interview on that basis?
It is grossly unfair and of grave concern to us that you have failed to address our specific and categoric responses to each of your “12 points”.
We cannot rely on assurances of “fairness” or “accuracy” from a TV programme what has produced no evidence whatsoever to back up its false allegations, which are based on anonymous hearsay claims from individuals who despite legal protection refuse to make these unfounded claims on the record.
…we continue to reserve all our rights, and put you on notice that the irresponsible broadcast of these allegations could have extremely serious financial and other ramifications for our company, for which we shall be holding you fully accountable.
We have offered Mr O’Leary an interview on the same terms offered for example to leading businessmen, politicians and generals on previous Dispatches programmes. We note his unwillingness to be interviewed on these terms.
Your accusations regarding our standards of journalism are rejected in their entirety.
We have now had sight of that survey and will be reporting the following within the programme:More than 8 out of 10 pilots said Ryanair did not have an open and transparent safety culture.
Two thirds of pilots who responded said they did not feel comfortable raising safety related issues through Ryanair’s own internal systems.
We will also report that:
“Ryanair told us their operations were fully compliant with EU requirements; “Airline safety is a matter of fact and evidence, it is not something which can be traduced to a subjective survey.
Pilots should raise concerns through Ryanair’s confidential safety reporting system.”
Ryanair aren’t happy:
I refer to your letter dated 9th August, which was received by email at 20.34hrs on Friday evening, long after close of business one working day before your planned broadcast.
It is clear that your programme, having failed to produce one shred of evidence to dispute the IAA’s confirmation that “Ryanair’s safety is on a par with the safest airlines in Europe” is now flailing around trying to concoct spurious claims to support your baseless slur…
The letter goes on to say that the survey results are bogus, and can’t be objective as the body that compiled it doesn’t have access to Ryanair’s 3,000 pilots, and goes on to state:
Your claim that you will “report” that “Ryanair told us their operations were fully compliant with EU requirements” is another example of your inadequate, misleading and biased reporting. It is not Ryanair that have “told you”, but rather the independent EU designated safety regulatory authority for Irish aviation, namely the Irish Aviation Authority, which has publicly confirmed that “Ryanair’s safety is on a par with the safest airlines in Europe”. Your programme MUST report this fact.
The Dispatches programme “Ryanair: Secrets from the Cockpit” was aired on Channel 4 last night, and is still available to view on 4oD.
Ryanair released the following comment as part of a lengthy statement in the wake of its broadcast:
Ryanair has instructed its lawyers to issue legal proceedings against Channel 4 Dispatches for defamation and Ryanair looks forward to this matter being resolved in the Courts and the safety of Ryanair’s operations being thoroughly vindicated since the IAA has independently confirmed “Ryanair is on a par with the safest airlines in Europe” and the C4 Dispatches programme has produced no shred of evidence to undermine this independent verification of Ryanair’s outstanding safety.
[All images: Screengrabs via Channel 4 Dispatches]
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That guy really hates working after hours.
I’d doubt there’s a decent overtime rate!!
It seemed like a stitch up if you ask me.
Yep, Ryanairs safety record is unblemished. Hope they win in court. Programme seemed to be on shaky foundations.
Ryanair will not go to court nothing to sue here folks
Very one sided indeed from a British broadcaster who seemed to love mentioning the irish aviation authority alot. Maybe they should do one on easy jet or British airways
I noticed that as well! Low hanging fruit much?
Very good point actually. I noticed watching the “documentary” that when o Leary was showing a comparison with may days issued by other carriers, the only other one audibly mentioned was Aer Lingus, despite the fact that BA, Virgin and other British carriers where listed on the white board he was standing next to. The narrator started speaking again before those airlines could be mentioned. Try to beef up the local business by trashing the major player? Seems like it!
I’m a big fan of ryanair a 29 year safety record is hard to argue with, I’m surprised c4 aired that incredibly one sided show 70% of it was about 3 Madrid flights that were diverted to Valencia where while queuing to land they cut in to there 30 min fuel deserve, I have worked in the aviation industry and there are very strict safety rules and regulations and I’m positive that if you sat any pilot down from any airline they could tell you a few stories that would stop you getting on planes for life. And if all of these pilots are so concerned for safety why take off in the first place,if I get in my car and there is not enough fuel for my journey I either put fuel in or don’t go why would a plane be any different. Also on another note thanks to ryanairs constant battle to reduce costs a d fuel being one if an airlines biggest costs, they are trying to use less fuel in turn less emissions. As I say to anyone who complains about Ryan air if you don’t line it pay the extra and fly with someone else if you want it cheap keep your trap shut and play by the rule’s and we will all have a pleasant flight!!
Ryanairs legal fees: €0.99 cent.
Taxes and charges €90,000.
Very one sided programme. Why were they frightened to allow an unedited interview with Michael o’leary ?
Because he could basically say whatever he wants, unedited. Ryan air get it their own way too much.
Because oleary could ramble on for 40 mins …. How do you include that in a 30min program
Ryanair said it could be as long or as short as the program wanted
The interviewer gets to ask the questions and should be able to control any interview. Channel 4 should have no problem with an unedited interview. It’s far too easy to edit any interview and turn the interview by a complete 180 degrees. Given the way the programme was transmitted I imagine that no sane CEO would agree to an edited interview. I look forward to the legals on this one.
I’d rather pay the extra few quid to have the excellent service at aer lingus than to travel with Ryanair , the cabin crew have faces like well slapped arses and are completely rude
Ah come on Slaney I have never seen cabin attendants like what you describe on any airline including Ryanair.
I’ve had nothing but poor service from Aer Lingus and great service everytime I fly with Ryanair. Suppose it depends on your own experiences but I’ve never seen a staff member with a slapped ass on any Ryanair flight!
In fact, a few months ago two members of my family died and my sister was in a critical condition herself. This all happened a day before my family were due to go to Italy. My father rang Aer Lingus to cancel and change flights to a later date if possible, the response? I quote ‘The family circumstances is not our problem and a charge of 600 will be made’. We’ve written 11 complaints about the comments made and received no reply whatsoever. No problem with a fee because that’s understandable but the way they spoke to grieving man was shocking. Paying the extra money for Aer Lingus isn’t always worth it but hey that’s just my own experience.
That’s because their arses have been well slapped and they’re not too happy about it. Totally understandable.
Well my next door neighbour had a very different experience he found out he had cancer and they changed his flight to a later date free of charge if he could prove his illness
That’s great for him isn’t it? My father emailed Aer Lingus with the medical reports and doctors notes with no reply to any of his emails and if he calls he’s put on hold for up to an hour. Aer Lingus are no better than Ryanair in my eyes of they can’t even respond to their customers!
It does appear that the program jumped on the populist anti-Ryanair bandwagon and added in a bit of sensationalism. Surely the media would never do such a thing?!? Anyways, I’ve had a few incidents while flying, all of which were with Aerlingus, none with Ryanair, so I’m more biased about them.
I must be a very lucky passenger as I’ve never had any difficulty with any airline Ryanair included. Glad to see Amy that there are some people out there who are independent minded enough to like Ryanair.
I usually prefer flying aerlingus over Ryanair even if I pay a bit more. However I don’t think it’s fair to go on a witch hunt against Ryanair.I would say their safety standard are quite high and they do have a very modern fleet. At the end of the day they’re not Turkish airlines or one of the other never-come-back airlines…
How can you describe Tukish Airlines as ‘never-come-back’? Airlines of that nature are prohibited from operating in the EU.
Turkish airlines have been voted no1 airline in europe for the last 3 years! You should fly with them before you dis them.
Since 1990 Turkish airlines have lost 7 planes and 148 lives on plane crashes (902 lives lost since 1959). The latest crash was in 2009 with 9 people dead. So no, I will not board a Turkish airlines plane. And to stay on topic; Ryanair have not lost any lives on their flights so far.
That’s better than Air France or American Airlines for the same time period. Just what is your standard for a safe airline and how did you come to it?
I wonder how Pat Kennys getting on
What’s the craic with Pat…? Have I missed something?
Why are people putting a space between Ryan and air… is it not just Ryanair? I would actually love to see Ryanair sue them… and win
Auto correct
There is one irrefutable fact in all of this. Last July, in one day, there were three Mayday calls from Ryanair planes around Valencia airport. Apparently regulations dictate that if remaining fuel reaches a critical level then a Mayday call must be made by the pilot.
Now a Mayday is a call of last resort – there is a serious problem being experienced by the caller. It’s not a mere breach of some obscure regulation; Mayday is made when there is an imminent danger to the aircraft and the lives of its passengers. There is a lesser emergency call, Pan, which can be made if the problem being experienced is less critical – this was not the call that was made on any of those occasions.
I have not seen anywhere Ryanair expressing grave concern about these three incidents. That attitude, I would suggest, does not give me the impression of an airline that “is on a par with the safest in Europe”.
Exactly what I was thinking .
Hi Leo just out of curiousity what day was it in July. I couldn’t find it.?
Sorry Leo I found it. The fuel carried by all three flights was absolutely correct. Sufficient fuel to alternate plus reserve.
Agree, people seem to be missing the bigger picture that the problem is pilots feel that they can’t report a safety issue for fear of reprimand….that is very serious…whether you like Ryanair or not is beside the point. Ryanair seem to be shifting the focus in order to confuse the issue.
I have noticed that on here, it’s all about an IRISH airline being slammed rather than concerns over the safety of millions. Bet many of those pro-Ryanair on here right now are the usual Ryanair begrudgers
Leo how much additional fuel would you like them to carry? The had sufficient amounts to get them to their destination, circle the airport for an hour, fly an additional 350km to Valencia and circle the airport there before calling in the May Day and they still landed with over 30 mins of fuel in the tank.
LaCaz – it’s nothing to do with defending an Irish company. I’d be of the same opinion if RTE aired a blatantly bullsh!t, one sided program with no factual evidence about a British, American or Spanish company.
Leo, If you actually read the report, you would find that a Pan urgency call was made to Spanish ATC. It was not until closer to the airport that the pilots had to declare a Mayday.
Vincent, from posts on other, related, threads it would seem that the three incidents were down to Spanish ATC keeping the aircraft in holding patterns for far too long. Nothing to do with Ryanair procedures, just the usual trashy broadcaster’s ploy of telling whichever bits of the story suit your purpose.
Leo, do you realise that 2 of the aircraft circled Madrid for over an hour, the other for just under an hour, before they diverted to Valencia , where they were then instructed to circle in yet another holding pattern. On landing 2 of the aircraft had their full 1/2 hour fuel reserve left. How much fuel do you think these aircraft should carry ? The fuelling procedures and regulations which are followed by all airlines remain unchanged since that night but you can bet your life there will be big changes within Spanish air traffic control. You are right that these where very serious incidents, but totally wrong to assume it was the fault of Ryanair and no, I don’t work for them.
I have cancelled all my company flights with Ryanair until this has been sorted. Aer Lingus might be slightly more expensive but you know you are in good hands.
Are Ryanair and Aer Lingus not pretty much the same now anyway. It’s not like you get a free meal from Aer Lingus for paying the extra money. I find Aer Lingus cabin crew are no better than Ryanairs nor any worse.
COOM, I hope you don’t run your business in the same knee-jerk fashion. No, I am not connected to Ryanair other than as a passenger who has flown many hundreds of times with them over the years; both business and pleasure without any safety concerns.
What specific Saftey issues have been highlighted? None.
Disgruntled pilots who are not happy that they have to work up to the 900 hrs per year, some have complained that they have to prepare for a flight outside these hours effectively in their own time, that’s less than 19hr week.
Aerlingus pilots fly 520 hrs per year or 10hrs per week, the average is closer to 900hrs.
Ryanair have the newest fleet of Boeing aircraft of any airline in Europe .
The pilots operate under international and European regulations , I couldn’t care less about Ryanair pilots anonymous survey It didn’t highlight one real incident. I flew on Ryanair yesterday and regularly fly Aerlingus , I prefer Ryanair as they never pander to the awkward customers that can just do what everyone else does. And as for the staff I find them very plesent on both Ryanair and Aerlingus.
I’ve cancelled my one Ryanair flight home from knock to Luton until I am more reassured that I will not die. I know I’ve got two kids waiting anxiously for me to return but isn’t it better for them to know at least Im alive .
Lou, Hopeful C4 Despatches will hold off showing the programme about the giant dragon that’s about to eat Luton. Wouldn’t want you to be alarmed. In the case of Ryanair, what exactly would “reassure” you if their perfect safety record doesn’t ? I’m intrigued.
Channel 4 fail. What a crock of shit that program seems to be.
The British medias’ attack of Ryanair continues – it’s getting blatantly obvious now that they are on a mission to blacken the Ryanair name as best they can on UK soil.
Fair play to MOL and the IAA for standing up to them. We didn’t see a witch hunt program about BAs diastorous safety record on concord did we?
If corners are being cut aggressively,then this leaves pilot in a very vunerable position.I now cancel my flight.
Are Ryanair staff bombarding this comments site.
Marie do you believe everything you hear on telly. ? Having said that I would be far more concerned about air traffic control issues than anything else when it comes to flying. You might be wise to cancel but not because of any issues with Ryanair.
Have flower with Ryanair many times and can’t fault them. Sure they might put down the shoe if they are running late but who doesn’t? They preform safety checks on their aircraft twice as often as other airlines to avoid breakdowns which are costly, and as for the comment about them having a face like a slapped arse, I can honestly say on every flight with them the cabin crew have been mighty Craic, and the pilots even joined in over the intercom once or twice!
I hope O’Leary sues and wins. This is shoddy journalism.
Well I think if they went into any airline as deep as they go into Ryanair they would find the same cuts and maybe more . Ryanair was if not the first one of the first to ground all flights when the dust cloud was around , Michael is one of the very few people on the planet whom interviewers like to cut their teeth on but they are left floundering watched one on early morning tv best entertainment I had for a long time .
OMG Michael ,about time people new how you have ruined the industry .I know a good few Ryanair pilots they hate you,They all thought Sean Fitzpatrick was brilliant now they have found about you.
John, The boss has to be effective. Being likeable is a big bonus. Ryanair pilots don’t get a bonus. Tough.
Miaow
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