{"id":157426,"date":"2026-09-12T15:25:29","date_gmt":"2026-09-12T09:55:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/?p=157426"},"modified":"2026-09-12T15:26:34","modified_gmt":"2026-09-12T09:56:34","slug":"ryanair-shareholders-approve-olearys-e150-million-package-despite-major-revolt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aviationa2z.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/12\/ryanair-shareholders-approve-olearys-e150-million-package-despite-major-revolt\/","title":{"rendered":"Ryanair Shareholders Approve O\u2019Leary\u2019s \u20ac150 Million Package Despite Major Revolt"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DUBLIN<\/strong> \u2014 Ryanair<\/a> Holdings shareholders have approved a new remuneration package that could allow Chief Executive Michael O\u2019Leary<\/a> to earn more than \u20ac150 million, despite significant investor opposition to the plan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vote took place at the airline\u2019s annual general meeting in Dublin where 60.7% of shareholders backed the revised remuneration policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The package is linked to O\u2019Leary remaining with Ryanair until April 2032 and achieving demanding financial or share-price targets. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The vote gives the 65 year old executive another long-term incentive as he prepares to remain at the airline for nearly four decades after becoming CEO in 1994.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Ryanair<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u20ac150 Million Pay Package for Micheal O’Leary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Under the agreement, O\u2019Leary receives an option to purchase 10 million Ryanair shares at a strike price of \u20ac26.70. The options become exercisable only if he remains with the group through April 2032 and Ryanair meets one of the specified performance conditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company must either achieve more than \u20ac4 billion in annual profit after tax or see its ordinary share price exceed \u20ac42 for 28 consecutive days during the relevant period. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryanair (FR) recorded a record \u20ac2.26 billion post-tax profit for its latest financial year, meaning the \u20ac4 billion target would require a substantial increase in earnings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The potential reward has been estimated at more than \u20ac150 million because the difference between the option exercise price and the targeted share value could generate a substantial gain for O\u2019Leary if the conditions are met.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: simon butler | Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Shareholders Split Over CEO Pay<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The approval came despite strong opposition from investors. About 39.3% of shareholders voted against the remuneration proposal, while 60.7% supported it, making the result considerably more divided than a routine compensation vote.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Proxy advisers Institutional Shareholder Services and Pensions & Investment Research Consultants had opposed the package, raising concerns that the structure could reward O\u2019Leary for broader movements in airline stocks rather than Ryanair-specific performance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The criticism also focused on the \u20ac42 share-price threshold and the provision allowing the profit target to be achieved in a single year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Supporters, however, argue that the targets are sufficiently demanding and that achieving them would create substantial additional value for Ryanair shareholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo: Ryanair<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

O\u2019Leary\u2019s Ryanair Legacy is Firmly Cemented<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

O\u2019Leary has led Ryanair since 1994, overseeing its transformation from a small regional airline into Europe\u2019s largest carrier by passenger numbers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The company’s board has argued that the incentive structure is designed to keep his interests closely aligned with those of shareholders through 2032.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new package follows an earlier share-option arrangement that could provide O\u2019Leary with a separate payout of up to about \u20ac100 million after Ryanair met its previous performance conditions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

His new contract also includes a comparatively modest base salary and an annual bonus capped at 50% of salary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ryanair’s latest shareholder vote therefore represents a clear endorsement of O\u2019Leary\u2019s continued leadership, but the nearly 40% opposition highlights the debate surrounding executive pay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The decision ultimately leaves the CEO with a potentially transformative financial reward if Ryanair delivers the required performance by 2032, Irish Times flagged<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary Salary in 2026<\/a><\/blockquote>