Organisation: Ryanair

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Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's "outspoken" Chief Executive (Guardian, 18/8), succeeded in generating considerable attention for his condemnation of the Government's new airport security regime, following the foiled terrorist plot of 10th August. Mr O'Leary asserted the intention behind his ultimation to the Government, and following compensation claim, was to get the "airports back to normal" (Scotman, 18/8). Normality was key in fighting terrorism, "This is about preventing a bunch of lunatics from changing our lives", he said (Yorkshire Post, 19/8).

However, while asserting that "the Government will have handed the extremists an enormous PR victory" by maintaining security restrictions (Daily Mail, 18/8), Mr O'Leary took the opportunity provided by the debate to launch low-cost promotional tickets "to get Britain flying again" (Guardian, 18/8). Although disapproving of his methods, some commentators reluctantly agreed with Mr Leary's premise: "However much I might dislike the idea of Mr O'Leary dictating terms to the Department for Transport, the notion of Osama bin Laden doing the same is infinitely more objectionable" (Tim Hames, Times, 21/8). Other press members proved less forgiving, an Independent commentator concluding, "Let's instead be grateful that our security … is being handled by an organisation whose priority is human safety - and not something that looks disturbingly like publicity" (27/8).