Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary didn’t mince words during a lecture at the airline’s headquarters, lashing out at Germany’s traffic light coalition government, which he branded a “government full of idiots.”
According to the Berliner Zeitung, O’Leary reserved his harshest criticism for the Greens, accusing them of proposing “bullshit solutions” and declaring, “We don’t waste time with them.”
Despite his scathing critique, O’Leary expressed little optimism for change. “I don’t think the next federal government will be better,” he said, adding bluntly, “Germany is lost for the next few years.”
Interestingly, O’Leary said he still loves Germany—though mostly for its football team and beer. However, his view of the country’s economy is grim. He blasted Germany’s aviation market as “the craziest in Europe,” citing inefficient air traffic control and high flight taxes as major obstacles. These, he argued, have slowed Germany’s air travel recovery compared to the rest of Europe.
Recent data supports his claims. The Federal Association of the German Aviation Industry (BDL) reports that while European air traffic nearly returned to pre-pandemic levels in early 2024 (99%), Germany lagged far behind at just 83%. For direct flights, the disparity is even starker: Europe averages 112% of 2019 seat capacity, while Germany struggles at 71%.
O’Leary’s sharp remarks underscore the growing frustration with Germany’s aviation and political landscape, painting a stark picture of a country falling behind its European peers.
