A lot of non-tech people don't type any URL, they just type "Ryanair" in Google and click on the first link.
I do that (searching from the address bar) a lot, especially with non-US sites (like Ryanair) where you're not sure if it's .com or .co.uk or what.
True. But even with very few links, I suspect ryanair.com would come up high for a search for "ryanair". They get a bonus for an exact domain match. So no matter what they will probably come up high for searches for "Ryanair"
He's just using Ryanair as a general example. Maybe it wouldn't really hurt them, but it could have an effect on other companies with this dumb policy.
Oh yes. But any business relying on organic search and having an idiotic linking rules deserves to die.