Ryanair's interest in COMAC C919 signals potential shift in aviation market dynamics

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary has expressed interest in purchasing China's COMAC C919 aircraft, provided the price is sufficiently competitive, reports Skift. O'Leary stated, "The Chinese are basically building a fucking A320. So if it was cheap enough—10 or 20 percent cheaper than an Airbus aircraft—then we’d order it."

This development is a threat to an unstable Boeing, a longstanding exclusive supplier to Ryanair, although a subsidiary flies Airbus narrowbodies. Boeing has faced well reported setbacks recently, from production delays, new airframe certification delays, and financial losses.

While the C919 has primarily secured orders from Chinese state-backed airlines, O'Leary's openness to integrating the aircraft into Ryanair's fleet highlights its potential appeal to international carriers. However, the C919 has yet to receive certification from Western aviation authorities, a prerequisite for its operation in European and US markets.