In a dramatic escalation of tensions, Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, has suggested he could buy budget airline Ryanair and called for the dismissal of its CEO, Michael O’Leary. The extraordinary row erupted after O’Leary rejected the idea of using Musk’s Starlink technology to provide in-flight Wi-Fi on Ryanair flights.
Musk, the Tesla chief executive, has been trading insults with O’Leary over the past week, with the Ryanair boss branding Musk an “idiot” on the airline’s X (formerly Twitter) account. Ryanair has since launched a “Great Idiot Seat Sale” targeted at Musk and “any other idiots on X”.
The dispute centres around the use of Starlink, Musk’s satellite-based internet service, to provide free Wi-Fi for Ryanair passengers. O’Leary has rejected the idea, arguing that the cost of installing the necessary hardware would be too high, and that passengers would not be willing to pay for internet access on short-haul flights.
In response, Musk has suggested that he could buy Ryanair, one of Europe’s busiest airlines, and that O’Leary should be fired for his decision. However, under EU regulations, airlines must be majority-owned by people from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein, potentially complicating any takeover bid by the American billionaire.
O’Leary has defended his stance, stating that the Starlink hardware would increase fuel costs due to the additional drag on the aircraft. He has also criticised Musk’s understanding of aerodynamics, saying the Tesla CEO “knows zero” about the subject.
The war of words has highlighted the growing importance of in-flight connectivity for airlines, with Starlink and other satellite-based internet services becoming increasingly popular. While Ryanair has opted not to adopt Starlink, other carriers, such as Qatar Airways and United Airlines, have already begun rolling out the technology.
Both Musk and O’Leary are known for their outspoken and often controversial public statements, and this latest clash is sure to generate significant media attention. As the two business titans continue to trade barbs, it remains to be seen whether their dispute will have any lasting impact on the airline industry or Ryanair’s operations.
