Ryan Air

 

Elon Musk Considers Buying Ryanair After Clash with Airline CEO

Rowan Ashford

ago 31 minutes

In a surprising turn of events, tech entrepreneur Elon Musk has expressed interest in acquiring Ryanair amidst a public feud with CEO Michael O’Leary. Over the weekend, Musk took to his platform, X, to engage his followers with a poll asking whether he should buy the low-cost airline and “restore Ryan as their rightful ruler.” This provocative proposal garnered over 900,000 responses, with a majority voting in favor of the idea. As of now, Ryanair has not commented on Musk’s poll.

Background of the Controversy

The discord between Musk and O’Leary escalated after discussions about in-flight internet services. In an interview with Irish radio station Newstalk, O’Leary dismissed the possibility of using Musk’s Starlink satellite system to provide wifi on Ryanair flights. He cited significant costs, estimating that the installation and operation could reach nearly $250 million (approximately €213 million) annually. O’Leary argued that the additional drag from the aerial antennas would increase fuel consumption, a concern for many budget-conscious travelers who might not wish to pay for the service.

The Public Feud

The disagreement quickly became a public spat. O’Leary criticized Musk’s understanding of aviation, labeling him as uninformed. He stated, “What Elon Musk knows about flights and drag would be zero.” In response, Musk did not hold back, referring to O’Leary as “a real idiot” and even suggesting that O’Leary should be dismissed from his position.

Market Implications

Amid this back-and-forth, the potential acquisition of Ryanair draws attention not only for its entertainment value but also for its financial implications. As Europe’s largest airline, Ryanair has a market capitalization estimated at nearly $35 billion (about €30 billion). Musk, known for his bold business moves, hinted that this may not be a serious bid but rather a continuation of his confrontational approach on social media.

• Elon Musk: CEO of Tesla and owner of X (formerly Twitter).
• Michael O’Leary: CEO of Ryanair, known for his controversial statements.
• Ryanair’s market cap: Approximately $35 billion (about €30 billion).
• Estimated wifi costs: Nearly $250 million per year (approximately €213 million).

Musk’s suggestions continue to spark debate in both the tech and airline industries, showcasing the unpredictable nature of his public persona. Whether this leads to any significant developments remains uncertain, but it certainly keeps him in the news.