Insiders at Ryanair believed O’Leary lined up Walsh as successor

Michael O’Leary held a secret dinner this year with IAG and former Aer Lingus boss Willie Walsh, prompting Ryanair insiders to believe that the latter man was being approached about becoming chief executive of the airline.

The dinner was held in London in July, according to a new book about O’Leary written by broadcaster Matt Cooper, which is due to be published next week. O’Leary’s current five-year contract as chief executive of Ryanair ...