Michael O’Leary, chief executive of the budget airline Ryanair, said the swine flu outbreak was a risk only to Asians and Mexicans “living in slums”. He told a press conference that travellers had little to fear from the deadly virus.

His comments came as companies across the world scrambled to respond on Tuesday to the spread of the virus. Tour and airline companies with activities directly in Mexico meanwhile held crisis meetings, taking quick action to cancel trips and offer tourists alternative destinations.