BRUSSELS — Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary slammed the EU for failing to protect European airports and said unauthorized drones disrupting air traffic should be shot down.
On Wednesday, European Union leaders are expected to discuss the introduction of a drone wall at the European Council informal meeting in Copenhagen, in the hopes of counteracting incursions by uncrewed aerial vehicles sent by Russia or other malicious actors.
“Why aren’t we shooting these drones down?” O’Leary said in an interview with POLITICO when asked about the recent drone incursions at European airports. He questioned why this was not happening “if a Russian military aircraft overflies NATO airspace.”
“Our operations were disrupted three weeks ago when drones overflew Poland and the Polish airports were closed for four hours,” said the airline CEO, referring to an incident attributed to Russia.
“Last week, it was the Danish airports that were closed for about two hours,” he added, referring to the incursions at Copenhagen and Aalborg airports, for which local authorities have not yet identified a perpetrator. “It’s disruptive, and we’re calling for action.”
Despite the new urgency to protect European airports, O’Leary believes that a drone wall is not the solution.
“I don’t think a drone wall has any effect whatsoever. Do you think the Russians can’t actually launch a drone from inside Poland?” O’Leary said.
Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius put this initiative at the core of the “Eastern Flank Watch,” a defense plan among EU eastern frontline countries to shield the entire continent from escalating security threats.
Ahead of the informal summit in Copenhagen, where EU heads of state and government will discuss the defense initiative, the budget airline boss expressed skepticism about their plans and credibility.
“I have no faith in European leaders sitting around drinking tea and eating biscuits,” he said.“If you can’t even protect overflights over France, what chance do we have of them protecting us against Russia?” he added in reference to the cancellation of routes overflying France during air traffic control strikes in the country.
“I have no faith in von der Leyen. She’s useless and she should quit,” O’Leary said.
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