Ryanair and Easyjet to race around Trafalgar Square

The chief executive of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, is never far from the news in the air travel market and he is keeping himself there this week by challenging Easyjet’s largest shareholder and founder, Stelios Hali-Ioannou, to foot race around Trafalgar Square. Some see it as just another publicity stunt by the Irishman, but others say it is fun way to put to bed their sometimes awkward rivalry in the airline business.

There have been a few disputes between the two over the year regarding who is the best and who is the cheapest carrier and Ryanair have even likened Stelios to Pinocchio. The latest talk between the two has led to something a little more serious, Easyjet and Stelios are now talking of suing their rival. Mr O’Leary said on national television that Easyjet was a high-fare airline, but what has really upset Easyjet is when Ryanair accused them of lying after the orange airline did not publish their stats on punctuality.

Easyjet have instructed top lawyers to seek a public apology from Ryanair and Mr O’Leary for these two incidents that they say is defamation on their character. The advert for Ryanair showed a picture of Stelios with a nose just like Pinocchio, insinuating that he was a liar. Ryanair’s response to the threat of court action was what was expected and Mr O’Leary said that if Stelios does not want to run, he could maybe use a wheelbarrow for his transport around Trafalgar or the pair of them could try sumo wrestling to settle the dispute. Stelios has not yet replied, but he is a game person who might just take him up on the offer.