Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, had cream pies smashed into his face during his protest outside the European Commission’s HQ in Brussels. 

O’Leary was there to unveil his company’s winter schedule and deliver a petition to Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, urging the protection of overflights in Europe. 

This refers to EU regulations preventing airlines from flying over countries during local air traffic control strikes. The pie-throwers’ affiliation with a climate action group remains unclear.

Despite the incident, O’Leary took it in stride, humorously remarking that he’d never received such a “warm welcome.” He noted the cream was artificial and invited passengers to Ireland, where the cream was supposedly better. 

Ryanair even joined in the jest, quipping about the “warm welcome” on social media.

However, O’Leary’s visit to Belgium was overshadowed by further challenges. Belgian pilots at Charleroi were planning a strike on September 14 and 15, the fourth in two months, to protest against low wages. 

#MaltaDaily