Ryanair has been forced to revise content on its website after describing Palermo as ‘a city dominated by mafia and poverty.’
The low cost airline had described Sicily’s capital as a ‘forgotten treasure’, but went on to say that having been ‘dominated for many years by the mafia and poverty, the city has reclaimed a place among European cultural cities’.
The description provoked complaints from a local politician and the head of the city airport, Ryanair uses for its flights, La Repubblica newspaper reported.
Ryanair apologised saying the content was provided by a third party.
The Falcone-Borsellino airport is actually named after two anti-mafia judges who were killed in separate bombings in 1992.
The LIVE Palermo website however found little wrong with the content, saying the city ‘cannot erase’ its history.
Ryanair marketing manager Giuseppe Belladone, said: "This detail escaped an internal check."
He added that the description doesn’t reflect the airline’s view of the city.
The Ryanair website has been changed to describe Palermo as ‘intoxicating, lively and energetic’.
