Ryanair Chief Thanks Elon Musk for Sales Surge Following Public Spat
The outspoken chief executive of Ryanair, Michael O'Leary, has declared that tech billionaire Elon Musk is welcome to insult him "all day, every day" if it continues to drive increased bookings for the budget airline. This remarkable statement follows a very public disagreement between the two business figures regarding the feasibility of implementing Musk's Starlink satellite internet system on Ryanair's aircraft.
A Controversial Exchange Sparks Commercial Benefits
Speaking at a press conference in Dublin, O'Leary revealed that the recent "PR spat" with the owner of social media platform X has already delivered tangible financial rewards. According to the airline boss, the controversy has driven a significant 2-3% increase in sales over the past five days, a development he described as "wonderful" for the company's publicity.
"All I would say to Elon Musk is he would have to join the back of a very, very, very, very long queue of people who already think I'm a retarded twat, including my four teenage children," O'Leary stated with characteristic bluntness. "If he wants to call me an idiot, he wouldn't be the first, and he certainly won't be the last. But if it helps to boost Ryanair sales, you could insult me all day, every day."
The Technical Dispute Behind the Personal Barbs
The disagreement originated from discussions about whether Starlink's technology could provide workable wifi on Ryanair flights. O'Leary explained that while Starlink is a "terrific" system, its implementation presents substantial practical and financial hurdles for the short-haul carrier.
The Ryanair chief detailed that installing the necessary aerials would create fuel drag on aircraft, incurring costs estimated between 100 and 200 million euros. Furthermore, O'Leary challenged Starlink's commercial assumptions, noting that while the satellite company insists 90% of passengers would pay for wifi, Ryanair's own estimates suggest fewer than 10% would be willing to pay the proposed fee of two euros or three dollars.
"If Starlink wants to fit our aircraft and pay for the fuel drag, we'd happily put them on board," O'Leary offered. "But the only way we see Starlink working on board short-term flights is if you give it away for free, and like most things in life, if you give it away for free, passengers will use it."
Embracing Controversy for Commercial Gain
O'Leary demonstrated his willingness to embrace the unorthodox publicity, even joking about Musk's specific insults. "I welcome the accusation that I'm a chimp," he remarked. "It's somewhat unfair on the chimp community, but chimp, chump, as long as it increases Ryanair bookings through January, February and March, it's all good fun and entertainment."
The Ryanair CEO emphasised that such controversies are beneficial as long as they don't involve safety, a principle he stated the airline has never compromised. "Any of these spats are great for bookings and great for awareness all over Europe," he added, suggesting the exchange has provided mutual publicity benefits for both Ryanair and Musk's X platform.
In a gesture of thanks for the unexpected sales boost, O'Leary revealed that a Ryanair ticket would be delivered to X's Dublin offices on Wednesday. The airline has been engaging with Starlink representatives for approximately twelve months regarding potential wifi solutions, though the recent public exchange has undoubtedly accelerated public awareness of both companies' positions.
