text: Controversial Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary claims the budget airline will slash its fares by as much as 15 per cent over the next two years. The chief executive of Europe’s largest budget airline made the vow in an interview with a French weekly newspaper, saying its average fare could be as low as €40 (approximately £26) next year. It would be a €6 (£4) decrease from Ryanair’s current average ticket price, with Mr O’Leary attributing the anticipated fare cuts to lower oil prices. Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary took aim at Air France in his interview with Le Journal du Dimanche . Famed for his combative management style, Mr O’Leary told Le Journal du Dimanche the Dublin-based discount carrier will pass the oil savings on to customers and claimed most European airlines have an average ticket price of €170 for a short flight. He said Ryanair expects to grow its passenger numbers and cut costs with new Boeing aircraft that will have more seats and reduce fuel consumption by an average of 18 per cent – without compromising passenger safety or security. In his interview with the Sunday newspaper the airline boss, who has made strides to soften his image, took shots at Air France, touting Ryanair as a cheaper and more reliable airline. He ridiculed Air France for last year’s pilots’ strike, which reportedly cost the Paris-based carrier hundreds of millions of pounds, predicted more troubled times and accused the airline of impeding growth at regional airports. An Air France spokesperson told MailOnline Travel that the airline is not responding to Mr O'Leary's comments. Michael O'Leary said he despises the 'French political class', but loves France and the French . Mr O’Leary was put on the defensive several times in the wide-ranging interview, as he disputed claims that Ryanair staff face poor working conditions and wages. The chief executive claimed there is a waiting list of 300 pilots and nearly 1,000 flight attendants who want to work for Ryanair. He told the newspaper: ‘All the things we hear about Ryanair are nonsense. Many companies such as Air France cut jobs. We create, we increase salaries and we pay pension contributions.’ Mr O’Leary also had to explain his feelings towards the French, telling Le Journal du Dimanche that he ‘despises the French political class’ that ‘destroyed the economy’, but loves France and the French. The airline boss disputed claims that Ryanair staff face poor working conditions and wages . He defended Ryanair’s decision not to employ workers in France year-round, saying it is due to the ‘administrative madness’ of labour laws and taxation. Ryanair has long faced complaints of poor customer service and excessive surcharges, but recently launched a marketing push to win over customers and has eased some of its fees or restrictions. It operates 31 airports in France, and Mr O’Leary said its Paris hub will continue to be Beauvais-Tilly, about 55 miles north of the French capital. He said acquiring slots at Charles de Gaulle or Paris Orly airports – which are hubs for Air France-KLM and their subsidiaries – presents an expensive challenge.
target: Chief executive Michael O'Leary made the vow to a French newspaper .
  He attributed the cuts to lower oil prices and said savings will be passed on .
  The controversial boss said Ryanair's average ticket price could drop by £4 .
  New Boeing planes ordered by Irish carrier will have more capacity .
  Mr O'Leary also took aim at Air France and predicted more troubles times .
  He disputed claims that Ryanair staff face poor conditions and wages .