I think that my original drive as an entrepreneur was precisely that desire to get away from the image of the shipping magnate's son.

America has its roots in a tradition of risk-taking pioneers. In more conservative Europe, if you fail in business or actually end up going to jail for it, you're finished as a businessman for good.

People are grateful when you make a difference in their lives. That is the essence of any successful business

Even if someone is competent, it's so damned easy to crucify him as long as he's only working on his father's account. So at the beginning I certainly wanted to prove myself to my father and the rest of society. That quickly turned into a greater challenge. My lifestyle hasn't changed as a result.

This industry attracts more capital than it deserves.

Unfortunately I have no rags-to-riches story to tell. Money never played a big role for me. My parents just had it.

Successes are always unique and hard to copy. The fact that easyJet became a success is due to a mixture of talent and luck.