Michael O'Leary, says he will be gone from his high-profile role with Ryanair in 10 years. Photograph: Jason Alden/BloombergRyanair’s Michael O’Leary has given a timetable for his departure, with the famously foul-mouthed airline boss planning to hand over to a “nicer” successor by 2035. Mr O’Leary joined Ryanair in the late 1980s to work for founder Tony Ryan, and rose to become chief executive in 1994. On earnings calls, Mr O’Leary has begun talking up the potential of other managers in the business to reassure investors that Ryanair has a strong bench of potential replacements. We have the second tier of management in their early to mid 40s.”Some of the senior leaders “may say they have had enough in ’28.

Source: The Irish Times December 14, 2025 14:26 UTC