We have become accustomed to hearing stories about Ryanair stripping all of the ‘frills’ from their service and taking their offering back to basics. Well, this is not exclusively onboard its fleet of aircraft or in the airports it serves. Since 2008 the airline has produced a Cabin Crew Charity Calendar and this year it has continued this tradition despite receiving a lot of opposition from some pro-women organisations.
The airline hopes to raise up to €100,000 for charity, bringing the total raised by its Cabin Crew to €500,000 since the first calendar was published. The airline says this year’s version is the “sexiest ever, featuring 13 cabin crew stunners in swimwear and lingerie”.
Ryanair’s staff have selected the ‘Butterfly Children’ of the DEBRA charity (from over 400 applicant charities) to receive the entire proceeds of the 2012 calendar. Through the expected proceeds DEBRA will enable 50 families, with children who suffer from the debilitating EB (epidermolysis bullosa) skin condition, to enjoy a respite week in DEBRA’s specially adapted holiday accommodation in Malaga, Spain.
Ryanair’s 2012 cabin crew calendar is available onboard Ryanair flights, on ryanair.com and from DEBRA’s Irish and Spanish charity shops (and websites) for just €10, with all proceeds going directly to help children and families living with the EB condition. There is a limited production run, and representatives of the airline confirmed that every year the 10,000 copies of the charity calendar sell out quickly.
“We are delighted Ryanair’s cabin crew chose to partner with DEBRA for the 2012 Ryanair Cabin Crew Charity Calendar and we thank everyone at Ryanair on behalf of our volunteers and those who help make the lives of these beautiful children a little easier,” said Jimmy Fearon, Chief Executive Officer, DEBRA. “Ryanair’s 2012 Cabin Crew Calendar donation will help us to deliver a once in a lifetime opportunity for 50 families to enjoy a holiday, with professional care and assistance on hand to allow parents and children time to rest and enjoy their precious time together.”
Speaking exclusively to The HUB this week, just a day after posing with his Cabin Crew wearing just a pair of Bermuda Shorts, Michael O’Leary, Chief Executive Officer, Ryanair said: “It was absolutely freezing. We did the launch in a building close to a construction site in Dublin. I think we brought all the work to a close.” The out-spoken Michael O’Leary is normally the centre of attention everywhere he goes. On this occasion he had to take second place to his staff!
Look out in Breaking News on Routesonline over the coming days for our exclusive interview with the Ryanair Chief Executive, in which he talks about plans to ground 80 aircraft this winter, APD, and how it has constrained growth in the UK, developments at Leeds Bradford and Manchester airports and why he currently feels on top of the world!
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