Ryanair CEO Responds to Elon Musk Feud and Takeover Speculation
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has doubled down on his very public dispute with Elon Musk, dismissing suggestions that the billionaire could buy Europe’s largest airline.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, January 21, O’Leary delivered fresh jabs at Musk while firmly explaining why a Ryanair takeover is not legally or commercially feasible.
How the Ryanair–Musk Spat Started
The feud erupted after O’Leary ruled out adopting Starlink, Musk’s satellite internet service, across Ryanair’s fleet of more than 600 aircraft.
That decision sparked a heated exchange on social media, with O’Leary calling Musk an “idiot,” while Musk fired back by branding the airline boss an “insufferable accountant” on X.
Musk Floats Takeover Idea, O’Leary Pushes Back
The exchange escalated when Musk jokingly suggested he might buy Ryanair and “put someone whose actual name is Ryan in charge.” He even posted a poll on X, with roughly three-quarters of respondents backing the idea. However, O’Leary said such a move is impossible due to European Union rules limiting foreign ownership of airlines.
“If he wants to invest in Ryanair, we would think it’s a very good investment,” O’Leary said. “Certainly a significantly better investment than the financial returns he’s earning on X.”
‘Twitter Tantrum’ Boosted Bookings, Says O’Leary
O’Leary described Musk’s online reaction as a “Twitter tantrum,” claiming the controversy has actually benefited Ryanair’s business. “They’re up about 2% to 3% in the last five days, which, given our volumes, is a very significant boost,” he said, referring to booking figures. Despite the publicity, Ryanair’s share price has remained largely unchanged, suggesting investors are not taking Musk’s takeover remarks seriously.
Why Ryanair Rejected Starlink WiFi
Beyond the personal barbs, O’Leary used the briefing to explain Ryanair’s decision to walk away from Starlink after 12 months of talks.
According to him, the key issue was cost and passenger demand.
“The Starlink people believe that 90% of our passengers would happily pay for WiFi,” O’Leary said. “Our experience tells us less than 10% would actually pay.”
Cost and Fuel Concerns Also Played a Role
O’Leary also cited the fuel cost impact of Starlink antennas, which add drag to aircraft.
He estimated that installing Starlink across Ryanair’s fleet could cost the airline up to $250 million annually, making the business case unattractive.
Ryanair is now seeking an alternative WiFi provider willing to fund the installation costs upfront, rather than passing them on to the airline.
Investment Welcome, Control Not on the Table
While Musk’s comments generated headlines, O’Leary reiterated that Ryanair remains independent.
“If he wants to invest in Ryanair, we would think it’s a very good investment,” he said again, stressing that investment is very different from control.
For now, the Ryanair CEO appears unfazed by the feud, embracing the attention and the booking bump, that came with what he calls Musk’s “Twitter tantrum.”
