Michael O'Leary is an Irish businessman and the chief executive officer of the Irish airline Ryanair. He is one of Ireland's wealthiest businessmen.[2]
O'Leary was deputy chief executive of Ryanair between 1991 and 1994 and was promoted to chief executive of Ryanair in January 1994. Under O'Leary's management, Ryanair further developed the low-cost model originated by Southwest Airlines.[4]
Ryanair Ltd. (ISEQ: RY4B, LSE: RYA, NASDAQ: RYAAY) is an Irish low-cost airline. Its headquarters is located in Swords, County Dublin, Ireland, with its primary operational bases at Dublin Airport and London Stansted Airports. In 2013, Ryanair has been the largest European airline by scheduled passengers carried.[4]
Ryanair operates 297 Boeing 737–800 aircraft.[5] The airline has been characterised by its rapid expansion, a result of the deregulation of the aviation industry in Europe in 1997 and the success of its low-cost business model. Ryanair's route network serves 28 countries in Europe and also Morocco.[6]
