Elon Musk & Ryanair: Acquisition Hint?

DUBLIN, November 21, 2023 – Elon Musk is openly toying with the idea of buying ryanair, Europe’s largest airline, after polling his followers on his social media platform X. The tech mogul’s musings have ignited a public feud with Ryanair’s outspoken boss, Michael O’Leary, centering on the feasibility-and cost-of using Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service onboard Ryanair flights.

A Billionaire’s Poll and a CEO’s Rebuke

Musk’s playful inquiry has escalated into a very public disagreement over technology and airline economics.

• Musk polled X users about acquiring Ryanair.
• O’Leary dismissed Starlink as too expensive and inefficient for Ryanair’s fleet.
• The airline’s market capitalization is approximately €30 billion ($35 billion).
• European regulations restrict non-EU ownership of EU-based airlines.

By late Tuesday, Ryanair had not responded to a request for comment regarding the poll, which garnered over 900,000 participants on Monday. Musk, the founder of Tesla and head of Starlink-a satellite internet system developed by his aerospace company SpaceX-has been hinting at a potential Ryanair acquisition for days.

Did you know? – Ryanair began operations in 1985 with a single aircraft, flying between Waterford, Ireland, and London. It has since grown to become Europe’s largest airline.

The conflict began after O’Leary appeared on Irish radio station Newstalk, where he bluntly rejected the idea of equipping Ryanair planes with Starlink wifi. He estimated the annual cost at up to $250 million, citing increased drag from the necessary antennae and the resulting fuel burn. O’leary also questioned whether Ryanair passengers would even be willing to pay for the service.

What would it cost to equip ryanair’s fleet with Starlink? O’Leary estimates up to $250 million annually due to increased drag and fuel consumption.

Pro tip – When evaluating airline Wi-Fi, consider the impact on flight duration and fuel efficiency. Added weight and drag can increase operational costs.

O’Leary didn’t hold back in his assessment of Musk, stating, “What Elon Musk knows about flights and drag would be zero … I frankly wouldn’t pay any attention to anything Elon Musk puts on that cesspit of his called X.” He continued,”He’s an idiot; very rich,but still an idiot.”

Ryanair’s current market capitalization stands at nearly €30 billion ($35 billion). However,any potential acquisition would face regulatory hurdles. European regulations mandate that airlines based in the EU must be majority-owned by EU nationals or citizens of other European countries.

Reader question – Do you think Elon Musk is serious about acquiring an airline? What challenges would he face beyond regulatory approval?

Explanation of Changes & Answers to Questions:

* Why: Elon Musk initiated the idea of acquiring Ryanair through a poll on X (formerly Twitter), seemingly as a playful exploration of his financial capabilities and interest in expanding his ventures. The core driver appears to be a disagreement over the viability of Starlink internet service on Ryanair flights.
* Who: The key players are Elon Musk (tesla, SpaceX, Starlink) and Michael O’Leary (CEO of Ryanair). Musk is the instigator, and O’Leary is the vocal opponent.
* What: Musk polled his followers about buying Ryanair. O’Leary publicly and strongly rejected the idea, especially criticizing the cost and inefficiency of implementing Starlink on Ryanair’s planes.
* How did it end? As of the article’s publication date (November 21,2023),the situation hasn’t “ended.” Ryanair hadn’t officially responded to the poll. Though, O’Leary