Ryanair boss slams 'gobbledygook' EU rule change to flight bookings

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary slammed the European Union’s latest flight-booking rules as 'gobbledygook' and 'bureaucratic bunkum' in a statement published June 16 on the airline’s site. The rules, announced a day earlier, require airlines to display fares that include at least one carry-on bag before the booking process begins. The European Commission says the update will improve transparency and enable fairer price comparisons for consumers. O’Leary contends the change will mislead passengers who want the cheapest options, which typically exclude second cabin bags, and may force airlines to advertise higher fares. UK markets and airline groups expect the UK to mirror the rule after Brexit, with O’Leary accusing regulators of overreach while urging focus on meaningful reform. He also attacked the EU’s broader aviation rules, claiming the ETS remains harmful and that Europe’s ATC delays persist. He asserted that the system accounts for most delays and that airlines should not be unable to recover EU261 costs from government monopolies. He called on Ursula von der Leyen and EU leaders to pursue reforms that boost competitiveness for European consumers, warning the new rule could push customers toward higher advertised fares.