Washington, DC, May 2 - In a pointed letter dated April 29, 2025, U.S. Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, a Democrat from Illinois and the ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, issued a stern warning to Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, against purchasing Chinese-made aircraft. The caution came in response to remarks by Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, who indicated the airline might consider acquiring jets from China’s state-owned Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (COMAC) if the price was significantly lower than those offered by Boeing or Airbus. Krishnamoorthi’s letter, reported by Reuters, cited serious national security concerns, alleging that COMAC has close ties to the Chinese military and has benefited from the illicit acquisition of foreign intellectual property. He argued that U.S. and European airlines should not contemplate buying planes from companies linked to the Chinese military, emphasizing the potential risks to global aviation security and economic fairness.
#aviationnews @Ryanair may cancel its #Boeing orders if U.S. #tariffs significantly raise aircraft prices, CEO Michael O’Leary warned. The airline, set to receive 29 #737MAX planes by March 2026 and 150 MAX 10s from 2027, could turn to alternatives like #China’s COMAC if costs… pic.twitter.com/9yTLUWa2FL
— Aero News Journal-Daily Aviation News (@FlyingFreak73) May 1, 2025
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The backdrop to this exchange is a deepening U.S.-China trade war, significantly impacting the aerospace industry. The U.S. has imposed tariffs of up to 145% on Chinese goods, prompting retaliatory measures from China, including 125% tariffs on U.S. products. These trade barriers have driven up the cost of Boeing aircraft, a major U.S. exporter, making them less attractive to foreign buyers like Ryanair, which prioritizes cost efficiency. For instance, a Boeing 737 MAX, valued at approximately $55 million, faces prohibitive duties, pushing airlines to explore cheaper alternatives. COMAC’s C919, a narrow-body jet designed to compete with Boeing’s 737 and Airbus’s A320, entered service in China in 2023 after receiving domestic safety certification in 2022. Priced lower than its Western counterparts, the C919 is an appealing option for budget-conscious carriers, though it awaits certification from European regulators, a process that could take years.
Ryanair, which operates a fleet of over 575 Boeing 737s and is awaiting delivery of 29 Boeing 737 MAX 200s and 150 MAX 10s, has expressed frustration with tariff-related cost increases. O’Leary, known for his outspoken style, responded to Krishnamoorthi’s letter by doubling down on his stance. He stated that if U.S. tariffs materially affect the price of Boeing aircraft, Ryanair would reassess its current orders and consider alternatives, including COMAC. While no negotiations with COMAC have occurred since a 2011 partnership that yielded no orders, O’Leary emphasized that a 10-20% price advantage over Airbus could prompt serious consideration of Chinese jets. This stance reflects Ryanair’s long-standing strategy of securing aircraft at the lowest possible cost, regardless of the manufacturer.
Krishnamoorthi’s warning also highlighted broader concerns about COMAC’s ambitions to dominate the global planemaking industry at the expense of Boeing and Airbus. Boeing, grappling with a safety crisis and delayed certifications, recently flew three 737 MAX jets back to the U.S. after Chinese airlines refused delivery due to tariffs. The U.S. aviation industry is lobbying for tariff exemptions under the 1979 Civil Aircraft Agreement, but the outcome remains uncertain. As geopolitical tensions and economic pressures mount, Ryanair’s potential pivot to Chinese aircraft underscores the complex interplay of trade policies, security concerns, and market dynamics shaping the future of global aviation.