Revisited: How Michael O’Leary and Ryanair changed Europe, one controversy at a time

At 8.30am on July 8, 1985, a 15-seater aircraft with a full complement of passengers took off from Waterford airport to London Gatwick on the inaugural flight of a new Irish airline called Ryanair. Air travel, and in some ways Ireland itself, would never be the same again. Fast forward four decades and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn’t travelled with Ryanair and, let's be honest, complained about them. But, despite the extra charges, minimal leg room and marketing stunts, we just keep coming back for more. Host: Kevin Doyle Guest: John Mulligan *This podcast was first released in July 2025*

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