Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary and U.S. Congressman Clash Over Boeing Tariffs and COMAC Deal Amid Trade Tensions

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary and U.S. Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi are in a dispute over Ryanair's potential consideration of Chinese aircraft manufacturer COMAC as an alternative to Boeing. O’Leary warned that Ryanair might cancel its $30 billion Boeing order if U.S. tariffs increase costs. Krishnamoorthi raised national security concerns about COMAC's ties to the Chinese military and corporate espionage. The situation highlights geopolitical tensions affecting the aviation industry, with potential impacts on international aircraft procurement and trade relations.

Ryanair’s Boeing Orders Under Threat

Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, currently operates an all-Boeing fleet of 737 aircraft and has over 330 new planes on order with the American manufacturer. However, CEO Michael O’Leary has publicly stated that the airline is prepared to “reassess” its Boeing commitments if the U.S. government proceeds with plans to impose tariffs on aircraft exports to Europe.

In a letter dated May 1, 2025, O’Leary responded to Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s concerns by emphasizing the financial impact of such tariffs. “If the US government proceeds with its ill-judged plan to impose tariffs and if these tariffs materially affect the price of Boeing aircraft exports to Europe, then we would certainly reassess [Ryanair orders],” O’Leary wrote, according to the Irish Independent and Reuters.

Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s Intervention

The dispute began after O’Leary, in a March 2025 interview, suggested that Ryanair could consider purchasing aircraft from COMAC, the Chinese state-owned manufacturer of the C919 jet, if the price was sufficiently competitive. The C919 is a narrow-body aircraft designed to rival Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’s A320.

In response, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a senior Democrat and ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, sent a letter to O’Leary warning against any potential deal with COMAC. Krishnamoorthi cited national security concerns, pointing to COMAC’s alleged ties to the Chinese military and a 2018 U.S. Department of Justice indictment that accused Chinese intelligence operatives of stealing intellectual property related to turbofan jet engines.

“U.S. and European airlines should not be even contemplating the future purchase of airplanes from Chinese military companies,” Krishnamoorthi wrote, according to multiple media reports.

O’Leary’s Defiant Response

O’Leary’s reply to Krishnamoorthi was characteristically blunt. He reiterated that Ryanair’s interest in COMAC was purely economic, driven by the need to maintain low operating costs in the face of rising aircraft prices. “The Chinese are basically building a fucking A320. So if it was cheap enough — 10% or 20% cheaper than an Airbus aircraft — then we’d order it,” O’Leary told travel industry outlet Skift.

In his letter, O’Leary clarified that Ryanair is not currently in discussions with COMAC but would consider the C919 if it offered a significant cost advantage. He also criticized the U.S. government’s trade policies, attributing the current uncertainty to former President Donald Trump’s 10% tariff on aircraft and the potential for retaliatory measures from the European Union.

Allegations of Espionage and Subsidies

Krishnamoorthi’s letter also referenced broader concerns about COMAC’s development practices. He cited evidence suggesting that the Chinese manufacturer may have benefited from government subsidies and illicitly obtained technology. The 2018 DOJ indictment involved ten Chinese operatives accused of targeting U.S. aerospace firms to steal proprietary information, including data on jet engine components.

While Krishnamoorthi acknowledged that Boeing and Airbus have also received government support, he argued that COMAC’s alleged conduct posed a unique threat to fair competition and global security.

Trade Tensions and Industry Impact

The Ryanair-COMAC controversy comes amid escalating trade tensions between the U.S., China, and the European Union. Boeing, one of America’s largest exporters, has already faced setbacks in China, with several completed aircraft turned away by Chinese regulators in April 2025. Meanwhile, China has imposed tariffs of up to 125% on American-made aircraft parts, further complicating the global supply chain.

Analysts warn that a full-blown EU-U.S. trade war could significantly raise the cost of aircraft from both Boeing and Airbus, potentially opening the door for COMAC to gain a foothold in international markets. Barclays analysts noted that Ryanair’s public flirtation with COMAC “might well prove the catalyst to launch the competing Chinese C919 narrow body onto the international stage.”

Ryanair’s Strategic Calculations

Ryanair’s interest in COMAC underscores the airline’s price sensitivity and willingness to explore unconventional options to maintain its low-cost model. While the C919 has yet to be certified for use in Europe, a major order from Ryanair could lend credibility to the Chinese jet and accelerate its path to international acceptance.

However, the aircraft’s reliance on American-made components and the current geopolitical climate make such a deal highly complex. COMAC has received over 1,000 orders for the C919, but nearly all are from Chinese carriers. A Ryanair order would mark a significant milestone for the manufacturer.

Silence from Key Parties

As of May 2, 2025, neither Ryanair nor the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party has responded to media requests for further comment. Boeing, which stands to lose a major customer if the dispute escalates, has also remained silent.

The standoff between O’Leary and Krishnamoorthi highlights the growing entanglement of commercial aviation with global politics. With billions of dollars at stake and the future of international aircraft procurement in flux, the outcome of this dispute could have lasting implications for the industry.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary and U.S. Congressman Clash Over Boeing Tariffs and COMAC Deal Amid Trade Tensions

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