Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary warns passengers they will be left behind if late

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary told the Travel Expert podcast that any passenger not at the boarding gate when boarding ends will have the plane depart without them. He blamed the EU’s Entry/Exit System, which went fully live in April, for causing queues of up to three hours at major Schengen airports and said the airline will not wait for travellers caught in those delays. O'Leary also criticised EU Commissioner Ursula von der Leyen, calling her “stupid”, and described the lack of passenger rights as “regrettable”.

In the same interview, O'Leary suggested that airports stop serving alcohol before noon to curb aggressive behaviour on flights, proposing a two‑drink limit and tighter control of duty‑free sales. He also attacked recent EU legislation on hand‑bag allowances, calling the lawmakers “idiots” and warning that mandatory inclusion of a second cabin bag in ticket prices would raise fares dramatically.

Overall, O'Leary urged passengers to arrive at the airport early, check‑in online and travel with hand luggage only where possible, to avoid missing flights amid the new border‑control procedures.