The ongoing public spat between tech mogul Elon Musk and Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has taken a dramatic turn. Specifically, Musk has suggested he could acquire the Dublin-based budget carrier. This escalating war of words originally began over satellite internet technology. However, it has now moved from a professional disagreement to outright takeover speculation.
The Viral Poll: “Restore Ryan as Ruler”
On Friday, the Tesla and SpaceX CEO turned to his platform, X, to gauge public interest in a potential acquisition. Musk asked his followers if he should purchase Europe’s largest airline. Currently, the carrier is valued at approximately €30 billion.
In a play on the airline’s name, Musk joked about appointing “someone whose actual name is Ryan” as the new leader. Later, he launched a poll asking if he should “restore Ryan as their rightful ruler.” This was an apparent reference to the airline’s late co-founder, Tony Ryan. Ultimately, the poll drew nearly 900,000 respondents, with over 75% voting in favor of the move.
Root of the Conflict: Starlink and Fuel Efficiency
The tension originally flared when O’Leary was asked about Musk’s Starlink satellite internet. Recently, competitors like Lufthansa and British Airways have adopted the service. However, O’Leary dismissed the technology due to high operational costs.
According to the CEO, fitting Starlink antennas would cause two major issues:
- Fuel Drag: He claimed the hardware would create a “2% fuel drag” on the aircraft.
- Annual Costs: He estimated the technology would add up to $250 million to the yearly fuel bill.
Consequently, Musk labeled these claims as “misinformed” and suggested O’Leary should be fired. O’Leary fired back during a radio interview, calling Musk “an idiot” who knows “zero” about aircraft aerodynamics.
Market and Regulatory Realities
Despite the viral nature of the exchange, investors remain skeptical. Ryanair shares closed down nearly 1% on Tuesday. This indicates that the market views the takeover talk as banter rather than a serious proposal.
The Regulatory Wall
Even if Musk were serious about a bid, he would face significant legal obstacles. This is because European Union regulations mandate that airlines in the bloc must be majority-owned and controlled by:
- EU nationals.
- Citizens of Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein.
Because Musk is a South African-born U.S. citizen, he would likely be barred from owning a controlling stake in the Irish carrier under current laws.
Contrasting Philosophies
The feud highlights a fundamental difference in how both leaders view the passenger experience. While Musk advocates for high-tech connectivity, O’Leary remains focused on aggressive cost-cutting. For instance, the Ryanair chief argued that passengers are unwilling to pay for in-flight Wi-Fi. “If it’s free, they’ll use it. But they won’t pay one euro each,” he stated.
While the “war of words” continues to drive social media clicks, a “Ryanair by Musk” acquisition remains a distant, regulatory impossibility.
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