'Replace O'Leary' Says Ryanair Pilot

The controversial Ryanair baoss, Michael O'Leary, should be sacked and replaced with a flight attendant, according to an enraged senior pilot for the carrier.

Captain Morgan Fischer, a senior pilot based in Marseilles, made the suggestion after inflammatory comments made by O'Leary last week that co-pilots were "unnecessary" and that computers now handle the flying of planes.

Captain Fischer said the airline could save thousand of euros in salary, perks and stock options by getting rid of Mr O'Leary (pictured).

The 41-year-old, who also trains other pilots from the company's base in the south of France, mounted the rare public challenge after the latest cost-cutting proposal from his boss.

The pilot made his thoughts clear in a letter to the Financial Times published on Tuesday.

Mr O'Leary's comments last week were condemned by pilots and passenger groups who questioned Mr O'Leary's commitment to passenger safety.

The comments attracted consternation from pilot's unions who have accused him of making "a bid for publicity".

"His suggestion is unsafe and his passengers would be horrified," a spokesman for the British Pilots Association said.

The no frills-flier boss said he intended to write to aviation authorities for permission to use only one pilot per flight because he believed co-pilots were unnecessary in modern jets.

Mr O'Leary, has been known to provoke controversy with unusual ideas in the past, previously considering standing tickets on flights as well as charging for the use of toilets.

In his original interview with the Financial Times he conceded two pilots would be needed on long-haul flights, but said on shorter trips flight attendants could do the job as "the computer does most of the flying now".

He went on to say that the second pilot was only there to "make sure the first fella doesn't fall asleep and knock over one of the computer controls".

Speaking to the Financial Times, Mr O'Leary said: "In 25 years with over about 10m flights, we've had one pilot who suffered a heart attack in flight and he landed the plane."

His comments come as the Dublin-based airline prepares to pay a €500m (£414m) dividend next month – its first – after Mr O'Leary pulled out of a deal to buy 200 Boeing jets late last year.

Ryanair recently announced it was closing its George Best Belfast City Airport operation as a further cost-cutting measure.

(DW/BMcC)