Activists smear cake on Ryanair chief at EC headquarters in Brussels

Brussels, Sep 7 (EFE).- Environmental activists smeared a cream cake on Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary’s face as he was speaking to reporters in front of the European Commission headquarters on Thursday.

O’Leary was about to make a statement to the press when two activists hurled a cake at him and said “welcome to Belgium” and “stop the pollution from planes.”

The Ryanair chief was in Brussels to voice his frustration with sector unions and to hand in a petition to EC president Ursula von der Leyen titled: ‘Protect Overflights: Keep EU Skies Open’.

“I have never had such a warm welcome. Unfortunately, it was environmentalists and the cream was artificial. I invite the passengers to come to Ireland where the cream is better,” O’Leary said as he wiped his face clean.

Ryanair made light of the incident on social media shortly after: “Warm welcome in Brussels today to celebrate RYR’s 7 new routes for Winter 23. Passengers so happy with our routes and petition that they’re celebrating with cake. We’ve got tasty low fares!”

When O’Leary was about to give his press conference, labor unions announced that Ryanair’s Belgium-based pilots at Charleroi airport are set to go on strike for the fourth time in two months on September 14 and 15, calling for better pay and conditions, the CNE and ACV Puls unions announced. EFE

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