Ryanair CEO to Elon Musk: Let me tell you a ‘European reality’; EU rules mean that…
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has responded to Elon Musk’s call for buying the Ireland-based airline group with a pointed lesson on ‘European reality’. He provided an explanation into the complexities of international aviation law and effectively grounding the billionaire’s hypothetical takeover. His comments came after the Tesla CEO called him “idiot” and an “insufferable chimp”, and launched a viral poll asking his 232 million followers if he should purchase the Irish budget carrier“As a non-European he [Musk] can’t acquire or take ownership of the company. European Union (EU) rules mean that European Airlines, like American Airlines in the states, must be owned and controlled by Europeans and in the states they insist that they’re you’re not supposed to be owned and controlled by Americans as well, so it’s good knock about stuff,” O’Leary said in an interview this week. However, he welcomed any investment by Musk, saying that it will be a better deal for the SpaceX CEO than X (formerly Twitter).“Elon Musk is very welcome to buy shares in Ryanair, I think it’d be a great investment for Elon Musk, certainly a better investment than X has been for him,” the Ryanair CEO added.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary and Elon Musk’s feud
The response comes follows a week of heated rhetoric on X (formerly Twitter), during which Musk labeled O’Leary an “idiot” and an “insufferable chimp” following the airline’s refusal to adopt Starlink satellite internet.“I think I probably agree with him. I have four teenage children who regularly call me an idiot and insufferable chimp. The good news, though, is that it has delivered a dramatic increase in footfall coming to the Ryanair website over the last five days,” O’Leary said. “We have seen a significant increase in bookings, and as a result, we’ve launched a “big idiots seat sale” for the current three days where people can buy Reiner tickets for just 17 quid and travel during January, February, March or April. So it’s all good stuff, and if it helps Reiner bookings and help Reiner sales, I’m all in favour of it,” he added.The CEO also announced that Ryanair will send a free round-trip ticket to the X office. “To encourage him, we’re sending a round trip to the Twitter offices. A free flight for Mr Musk. And I think he should come and sample Ryanair service…just 17 quid.. this summer,” he said.
