R.I.P. Tony Ryan, Founder of Ryanair

Travel Blog • Michael Yessis • 10.04.07 | 10:21 AM ET

Tony Ryan, the man who built one of Europe’s largest airlines, the budget carrier Ryanair, died yesterday at his home in Ireland. He was 71. According to the AP, Ryan started the airline in 1985 with one 15-seat plane. Ryanair expanded quickly and became known for “eye-popping fares” of as little as £0.01, as well as for helping usher in the era of “binge flying” and, as the BBC notes, for being a “target for environmental campaigners.”