Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary has criticised the makers of a TV documentary for not granting him airtime to defend the airline against claims of poor safety and security.
Mr O'Leary said he was willing to appear on the Dispatchesprogramme but that his offer of a live unedited interview had been rebuffed by the documentary makers.
Mr O'Leary said the claims made in the Dispatches programme of dirty aircraft, tired cabin crew and lax safety procedures had been investigated by the Irish and British aviation regulators and had been found to be "without substance".
The programme, due to be aired on Channel 4 tonight, features footage shot by two undercover reporters working as Ryanair cabin crew.
The programme claims passport checks prior to boarding were not carried out properly, trainee staff were not given the required on-board training and planes were not properly cleaned between flights.
The airline is also accused of making cabin crew and pilots work excessive hours. One pilot alleges that he feared being sacked if he refused to fly after complaining about being tired.
Last week Ryanair published its correspondence with the Dispatchesteam on its website.