Ryanair’s CEO apologizes to victims of sexual violence after a controversial comparison between the company’s rivals and “rapists”

Michael O’Leary, chief executive of airline Ryanair, apologized on Friday to victims and survivors of sexual violence after using the term “high-fare rapists” to describe rival airlines.

In a video message posted on social media, O’Leary said he was offering his “most sincere and unconditional apologies,” particularly to survivors of sexual violence. He said that, following discussions over the past ten days with family, friends and colleagues, he had understood that his wording had caused deep distress and a sense of offense.

The Ryanair chief said that rape is “a heinous and terrible crime that cannot be trivialized.” The apology came after he initially defended his choice of words and refused to apologize.

The controversial statement was made last week at a press conference held in Dublin. Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, an organization supporting victims of sexual violence, publicly called on him to withdraw his remarks and apologize.

British Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander also criticized the wording, saying that women who had been raped might not be rushing to book flights with Ryanair. The airline said it had nothing to add to its chief executive’s statement.