Easyjet owner to sue Ryanair boss over "libellous" ad


Easyjet owner Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou has instructed lawyers to serve a writ on the chief executive of Ryanair Michael O'Leary, saying "It was about time someone was willing to spend the money to take this arrogant man to court for his despicable behaviour.”

The move comes after advertisements by Ryanair depicting the Easyjet owner as Pinocchio and commenting on how it had failed to release it's punctuality data. The ad was yet another punch in the very public war between Europe's two biggest budget airlines, but it would appear that Sir Stelios has decided 'enough is enough'. In his statement he said:

"With this advert he [O’Leary] went too far and I am obliged to draw the line here. This is a libel action about my own reputation as an individual, not about comparing the two airlines. He called me a liar. I am not a liar. That is libellous, and I will seek substantial damages. See you in court Michael."

Mr O'Leary seemingly took news of the legal action lightly suggesting the pair should have a race around Trafalgar Square to settle the dispute. In his statement he said:

"Stelios obviously can’t run, but he can’t hide, either. He’s rattled as he knows that easyJet’s punctuality is lousy. If he’s too scared to run, then why doesn’t he accept our challenge to a bout of sumo wrestling instead."

It would seem O'Leary may have forced Sir Stelios's hand who has since said that he believed easyJet should publish its punctuality data and that he had asked the airline’s chairman to do so on the easyjet website. He said that he “was not involved in the decision to cease publishing the statistics”.

Katharine Kimber of Wilson Nesbitt solicitors in Belfast commented that:

"This case will see commercial rivalries played out in a court forum where Stelios Haji-Ioannou seeks to challenge a slur on his personal reputation. Defamation actions are notoriously costly and can often settle in a negotiated compromise but these two individuals should have deep pockets to fund a dispute.  Stelios has used his personality to brand his airline so there may be interesting arguments about the separation of his reputation from that of Easyjet."

If you are based in Northern Ireland and require legal advice on a matter of defamation contact Wilson Nesbitt solicitors in Belfast on 0800 840 9295 or by emailing kkimber@wilson-nesbitt.com .
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