Elon Musk Mulls Buying Ryanair After War of Words With CEO
Billionaire entrepreneur, Elon Musk has set off a wave of global attention after hinting at a possible purchase of Ryanair, following a sharp public exchange with the airline’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary.
The dispute began over Starlink, the satellite internet service operated by Musk’s SpaceX, which has been promoted as a solution for in-flight Wi-Fi. Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, dismissed the proposal, with O’Leary arguing that installing Starlink equipment would increase aircraft weight and fuel costs, while offering little value to passengers on short-haul flights. What started as a disagreement over aviation technology quickly escalated into a personal feud. O’Leary, known for his blunt remarks, publicly brushed off Musk’s suggestions and described the tech billionaire as “an idiot.” Musk responded on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) with similar insults, further fuelling the clash. The row took a dramatic turn when Musk reacted to a comment suggesting he should simply buy Ryanair and remove O’Leary himself. Musk replied approvingly and went on to post a poll on X asking followers whether he should buy Ryanair, triggering widespread online debate. The poll attracted massive engagement, with a clear majority of respondents voting in favour, though Musk stopped short of announcing any formal takeover bid. Ryanair responded in its characteristic provocative style, launching a “Great Idiots” seat sale and directing sarcastic marketing jabs at Musk on social media. O’Leary has since doubled down on his criticism, insisting Musk lacks understanding of airline operations and European aviation regulations. Despite the online buzz, industry analysts say a Ryanair takeover by Musk remains highly unlikely. European Union rules require EU airlines to be majority-owned by EU nationals, posing a significant legal barrier. In addition, Ryanair’s large market value would make any acquisition extremely expensive and complex. Ryanair’s share price has shown little reaction, suggesting investors view the episode as largely symbolic rather than a serious corporate move. For now, the Musk-Ryanair saga appears to be more about public spectacle than business strategy, underscoring how social media has become a battleground for high-profile corporate disputes — and how quickly a boardroom disagreement can turn into a global headline.
