Ryanair and Elon Musk Engage in Public Spat Over Starlink Installation
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has offered Elon Musk a free flight as part of a tongue-in-cheek “big idiot” promotion, following a public exchange of insults between the two executives. The dispute began when O’Leary announced that Ryanair would not be installing Starlink’s WiFi gear on its planes due to concerns over the extra weight and fuel costs associated with the system.
According to O’Leary, the installation of Starlink’s system would result in an additional cost of $200-250 million per year, including the cost of installation and fuel drag. Despite acknowledging that Starlink’s system is “terrific” and “works very well,” O’Leary stated that the costs outweigh the benefits. Musk, however, responded by calling O’Leary “misinformed” on social media, prompting O’Leary to label Musk an “idiot” in an interview with an Irish radio station.
Escalating the Dispute
The exchange escalated further when Musk took to his social media platform, X, to call O’Leary an “utter idiot” and an “imbecile.” Musk also launched a poll asking his followers whether he should buy Ryanair and replace O’Leary with someone “whose actual name is Ryan.” O’Leary, who has led Ryanair as CEO for over three decades, responded by saying that Musk is free to launch a takeover bid, but noted that rules prohibit non-European citizens from owning a majority stake in a European airline.
Despite the public spat, O’Leary expressed willingness to consider an investment from Musk, stating that it would be a “very good investment” and potentially more lucrative than Musk’s returns on X. The dispute has also led to a marketing opportunity for Ryanair, which launched a “big idiot seat sale” offering 100,000 seats for 16.99 Euros for one-way fares.
Expert Analysis and Context
Industry experts note that the dispute highlights the challenges of implementing new technologies in the aviation industry, where safety and cost considerations are paramount. The use of satellite internet technology, such as Starlink, has the potential to enhance passenger experience and increase connectivity, but airlines must carefully weigh the costs and benefits. As the aviation industry continues to evolve, it is likely that we will see further debates and discussions around the adoption of new technologies.
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