Independent.ie writes today:
Michael O'Leary looks a shadow of his former self. In the three months since he began the battle to take over Aer Lingus the controversial budget airline boss has lost his boyish good looks and became grey and almost gaunt.
Sources close to Mr O'Leary have acknowledged that he has shed some 'excess baggage' but denied that it is due to pressures of a year when even the high-flying budget airline hit turbulence.
The colourful chief executive is still embroiled in a tortuous takeover bid for Aer Lingus, and like all business leaders he had a tough year of his career as the global recession cut profits significantly.
But recent pictures show a marked change in the public face of Ryanair.
Pictured in September at the Ryanair AGM, O'Leary looked his usual full-faced self as he faced down a shirtless protester complaining about his airline's environmental record. But by December 18, when he met the Oireachtas Committee on Transport, there had been a marked change in his appearance.
He looked ultra-slim -- some might say gaunt. His changed appearance has now become a cause for comment in some circles.
Of course appearance is in the eye of the beholder, and some might say his new lean visage is a sign of fitness and vitality.
Well, I do not intend to speculate what's the reason behind this change of MOL's appearance. Frankly, if it was a symptom of the stress he's been exposed to, would it be caused just by the EI battle?
Tomorrow we'll hear the Q3 results. Moreover, dozens of planes are coming while the demand does not reflect this. Ryanair's development strategy still needs some significant changes to accommodate these planes.