Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary called European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen 'useless.' The head of the Irish airline used the remark to press for changes in how environmental charges are applied in European aviation. He wants the levies extended to American and Asian carriers. His case is that those airlines should face the same environmental costs as European competitors when they serve EU routes. O'Leary also predicted that airfares would rise, though the report provides no figures or timetable. The statement did not specify which routes or carriers would be affected first. It also offered no detail on how von der Leyen or the Commission had responded.