Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary unveils the airline’s ‘crazy prices’ campaign, mocking Spain’s Consumer Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy amid their ongoing dispute over baggage feesCredit : Facebook – Ryanair
Ryanair has fired back at Spain’s Consumer Affairs Ministry with a flash sale of 179,000 seats at just €19.99, branding the move as a direct response to the controversial fine imposed on low-cost airlines for charging passengers for cabin luggage.
The airline’s latest campaign, unveiled today under the slogan “Book crazy prices before the clown raises fares”, takes an open jab at Consumer Affairs Minister Pablo Bustinduy, who is depicted as a clown in the promotional material. This latest stunt is part of an ongoing feud between Ryanair and Spanish regulators over baggage fees.
Michael O’Leary blasts €179M fine as ‘unlawful’ and based on outdated laws
Speaking at a press conference in Madrid, Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary didn’t hold back, once again blasting Minister Bustinduy, calling him a ‘crazy communist minister’, a ‘clown’, and a ‘political madman’.
O’Leary dismissed the €179 million fine – which affects Ryanair, Volotea, Vueling, easyJet, and Norwegian – as ‘fabricated’ and ‘in violation of EU law’. He claimed that Spain’s outdated aviation laws, dating back to the Franco era, are being used unfairly to penalise airlines.
According to Spanish law 48/1960 on Air Navigation, airlines are required to transport both passengers and their luggage as part of the ticket price. However, Ryanair insists that EU regulations take precedence, particularly Regulation 1008/2008, which allows airlines to set their own pricing policies without government interference.
Will Ryanair change its baggage policy? Not likely
Despite government pressure, Ryanair has no plans to scrap its cabin baggage fees, arguing that doing so would lead to higher fares for all passengers.
O’Leary also pointed out the practical limitations of allowing all passengers to bring large cabin bags, stating that aircraft storage space simply isn’t sufficient. Currently, only 41% of passengers can book priority boarding, which guarantees a larger cabin bag allowance.
Meanwhile, the CEO dismissed accusations that Ryanair is ‘bullying’ Aena, Spain’s airport operator, insisting that a monopoly cannot be bullied. He reassured travellers that Ryanair’s €5 billion investment in Spain remains unchanged, but hinted at shifting focus towards larger airports, rather than smaller, underused regional hubs.
With tensions rising and legal battles ahead, Ryanair seems determined to fight back – both in the courtroom and at the ticket counter. Whether this bold price drop is just a PR stunt or a sign of bigger battles to come, one thing is clear: the feud between Spain’s government and its most controversial airline is far from over.
