O'Leary versus Stelios: A public spat can be so undignified

A public spat can often be so undignified. Particularly when performed in the pages of the press. A spectacular verbal sparring match came last week, between two of the most successful low-cost airline companies in Europe.

Both fighters are high-profile. In the green corner was Michael O'Leary, the outspoken boss of Ryanair, Ireland's low-cost carrier.

In the orange corner stood Stelios Haji-Ioannou, the ubiquitous Greek entrepreneur and head of the UK's low-cost carrier, easyJet. In a letter to a newspaper, he criticised the age of Ryanair's aircraft and its accounting policies.

Mr O'Leary didn't take the blows sitting down. "What surprised me was that he would put his name to such nonsense," he cried. "It would seem that those of us who sell the lowest air fares just get on with it, and those who do not, write whingeing letters to newspapers."

Both players are known to be outspoken, particularly when slating traditional airlines such as British Airways. But it is strange that they have turned their attentions on each other. Why are such successful companies wasting time arguing among themselves?

Both have seen double-digit growth in passenger numbers and financial results, particularly over the past year. Low-cost airlines are the only carriers which thrived in the aviation depression that followed 11 September.

Perhaps it shows increasing competition in the market. Although easyJet is buying low-cost rival Go, it faces other pressures. BA has slashed fares on a third of its European destinations, in a direct challenge to the low-cost suppliers.

Another issue is safety. Last week an anonymous air traffic controller complained about low-cost carriers cutting corners in safety, which both airlines deny and Mr O'Leary described as "loony".

All these issues have contributed to falls in the share prices of both companies.

Maybe it is time to bury the grudges and concentrate on their traditional opponents, the full-service airlines, and to quell those concerns over safety.