Ryanair's Michael O'Leary 'could step down next year'

Michael O'Leary, the flamboyant CEO of Ryanair, could be preparing to stand down within a year, according to a report in business website CityAM.com.

The controversial airline boss has become a household name thanks to his unrelenting campaign of publicity stunts, gaudy photo-ops and foul-mouthed diatribes.

But there is speculation that his antics could finally be drawing to a close, with industry experts now predicting that his departure will come as soon as 2010.

Mr O'Leary reportedly made clear his intention to leave at a recent investor day.

The Ryanair chief is unlikely to quit until the airline finishes winding down its services at Dublin and Stansted airports, which it has accused of imposing excessive fees.

"I see him leaving within a year, realistically," CityAM.com quoted Andrew Fitchie of money broker Collins Stewart as saying. "He said he is likely to depart once a deal with Boeing is done and once the fights with Dublin Airport and Stansted Airport are concluded."

The move also comes as the budget airline pushes ahead with its take-over bid for Irish national carrier Aer Lingus, which has rejected its buy-out offers twice before.

Should Mr O'Leary make good on his pledge, he will be leaving Ryanair in a much stronger position than when he first took the reins as chief executive in 1994. The airline has defied wider gloom in the industry by posting profits even in the midst of the recession.

Ryanair's no-frills ethos draws from the business model originated by Southwest Airlines, which was one of the first carriers to charge ancillary fees to passengers.

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