Ryanair CEO offers EU assistance with migrant deportations
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The company's CEO unveiled this initiative while launching a campaign to boost participation in the upcoming European Parliament election.
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Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary speaks during a media conference in Brussels, Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2022. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)
Ryanair's CEO Michael O'Leary announced on Wednesday the airline's readiness to assist European governments in deporting "illegal" migrants, stirring up controversy and debate across the continent.
Speaking to reporters near Brussels Airport, O'Leary unveiled this initiative while launching a campaign to boost participation in the upcoming European Parliament election, as reported by Politico.
"We have no issue in principle," O'Leary stated. Dismissive of concerns regarding potential damage to the airline's reputation, O'Leary said, "If European governments are properly deporting illegal arrivals ... to a country like Albania ... We are happy to fly those flights."
Read more: Rwanda seeks extradition of genocide suspects from UK in migrant deal
The announcement comes amid escalating tensions over migration, particularly in Ireland, which has witnessed a surge in asylum seekers from various regions, intensifying the strain on housing and contributing to rising crime rates.
Neighboring the UK, Ireland finds itself entangled in the fallout of tightened migration policies, including recent plans by UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to deport "illegal" migrants to Rwanda, driving some asylum seekers to use Northern Ireland as a route to Ireland.
Addressing Sunak's proposals, O'Leary expressed willingness to conduct deportation flights to Rwanda if suitable aircraft were available. However, he noted limitations, stating, "We cannot go to Rwanda because we cannot fly that far," citing Ryanair's operational constraints. The airline's only African destination is Morocco, though flights to countries such as Albania remain feasible.
In a strategic maneuver, the UK government has secured a deal with Albania to repatriate "illegal" migrants, aligning with its broader efforts to manage migration flows. This arrangement, established in February, sees Tirana agreeing to host thousands of asylum seekers on behalf of Italy.
Ryanair, renowned as Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, is no stranger to controversy, having earned a reputation for its unconventional cost-saving methods. From encouraging flight attendants to lose weight to implementing a "fat tax" for overweight passengers, the airline's approach continues to generate headlines and spark debate.
Read more: UK Home Office to detain asylum seekers in Rwanda operation
In 2022, Rwanda and the UK agreed on a migration deal allowing the deportation of undocumented migrants and asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing and resettlement. Criticized by human rights groups and politicians, the plan faced legal hurdles, with the European Court of Human Rights blocking the first deportation flight in June 2022.
Following a UK Supreme Court ruling citing safety concerns, a revised agreement was drafted. In January of this year, the House of Commons voted in favor of a bill to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda, pending approval from the House of Lords.
On April 23, the British government's proposal to deport asylum-seekers to Rwanda was approved by Parliament on Tuesday, over two years after its initial introduction. The House of Lords finalized its endorsement of the bill, paving the way for it to become law.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak emphasized the policy's importance in deterring undocumented individuals from crossing the English Channel, reiterating his campaign promise to "stop the boats."
"No ifs, no buts. These flights are going to Rwanda," Sunak said.
