Ryanair claims to be 'greenest airline in Europe'
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has hit back at claims that his airline is irresponsible and un-environmentally friendly.
Last week, climate change minister Ian Pearson attacked the budget airline saying it represented the "irresponsible face of capitalism."
However, multi-millionaire Mr. O'Leary retaliated, claiming that Ryanair was the "greenest airline in Europe" and that Mr. Pearson "hadn't a clue what he was talking about."
Mr. O'Leary expressed his anger that airlines were receiving so much negative press when they accounted for just two percent of emissions.
"What [Mr. Pearson] should be attacking is the power generation stations and the road transport who between them account for over 50 percent of emissions," he said.
In his recent pre-Budget report Chancellor Gordon Brown made several pledges to counteract the environmental damage caused by air transport.
Air passenger duty was doubled form £5 to £10 on short haul flights, and levies on long haul destinations could see passengers paying up to £80 more.
However, green campaigners say these measures do not go far enough, and have called for an end to airport expansion plans and tax breaks for airlines.
Source: Environmental Transport Association