Flash mob surprise for Ryanair chief at Manchester Airport

Members of the local 'Fit Kids/Fit Teens' dance club staged a fanastic stunt at Manchester airport on Friday, where Ryanair officially opened its Manchester base. The group surprised passengers and airport workers by breaking into a five-minute dance routine at the airports check-in desks - culminating with all 50 wearing Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary masks - to gasps of horror from rival airlines! The kids, some of whom were just seven years of age, were from Meath, Dublin, Kildare, Louth and Westmeath and were lead by Mornington woman, Jacinta Cassidy. The performance was a big secret kept by the troupe for some time. Ryanair had asked them to organise a surprise hip hop 'flash mob' at Manchester Airport, although Ryanair boss, Michael O'Leary, had no idea it was to take place. He was there to hold a press conference to launch 20 new routes from its base. Led by their instructors, the 'Raw Edge Crew' who teach the Meath/Louth/Westmeath classes, some 44 dancers of all ages (including parents) were selected to carry out the challenge. They met secretly for three rehearsals to perfect the routine, carefully choreographed by Rachel Murphy, and last Thursday they travelled to Manchester to perform it. To ensure that they looked like normal travelling passengers or workers at the airport, they were dressed as airline crew, Man United supporters, a nun and school kids, businessmen, holidaymakers, a nine year-old pilot and some were wearing Ryanair t-shirts. There was tremendous excitement, especially with the young dancers, as some had never been to the UK before. They were treated like royalty by Ryanair staff and Manchester Airport officials and even assigned their own 'bobby'! There was a huge turnout of press when Michael O'Leary arrived. As the song 'Soul Man' filled Terminal 2, the dancers from 'Fit Kids/ Fit Teens' burst into action. To ensure there was a distinct Irish flavour to the performance, they 'break-danced' to Horslips' 'An Dearg Dún'. Mr O'Leary was thrilled with the surprise and delighted when seven year-old Ava Gorman from Ratoath popped out of a suitcase and lead the 'shuffling' routine to 'Party Rockers', while nine year-old Kyle Leahy emerged from under a controversial Ryanair hand luggage 'size' box. To the horror of staff from other airlines, the routine ended with the dancers donning Michael O'Leary masks. The troupe was thrilled with the experience and delighted when O'Leary insisted the video be added to the Ryanair website. Over the weekend, nearly 10,000 viewers have watched it between the Manchester Airport website and on Ryanair.com.