Elon Musk has called Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary an “utter idiot” who should be fired on Friday. The comment escalated a public dispute after O’Leary ruled out installing Musk’s Starlink internet on Ryanair aircraft.
The spat escalated after O’Leary ruled out installing Starlink internet service on Ryanair aircraft. O’Leary dismissed equipping any of Ryanair’s more than 600 jets with Starlink on Wednesday. He cited the impact of fuel costs from drag caused by the antenna and estimated the service would cost airlines up to €200m a year.
Musk responded on X that O’Leary was misinformed and argued Ryanair did not know how to measure the fuel impact of Starlink equipment.
In a characteristic throwaway line at a press conference earlier in the week O’Leary had first cited fuel costs from antenna drag and estimated annual expenses up to €200m. Musk responded on X claiming O’Leary was misinformed and lacked knowledge of Starlink equipment fuel impact.
O’Leary later told Newstalk radio that Musk knew zero about aviation drag and described X as a cesspit.
Starlink operates on dozens of airlines including United Airlines Qatar Airways and Lufthansa with Aer Lingus to introduce the service this year. Ryanair maintains its position against the service due to operational and financial concerns. Musk suggested buying Ryanair to dismiss O’Leary when a follower proposed the idea. The spat remains public on social media.
Elon Musk shared “Ryanair CEO is an utter idiot. Fire him.”
