Ryanair Would Consider China’s C919 Over Boeing 737s “If It Was Cheap Enough”
“The Chinese are basically building a f**king A320. So if it was cheap enough – 10 or 20% cheaper than an Airbus aircraft – then we’d order it,” O’Leary said on Thursday. His statement highlights Ryanair’s focus on securing the best value for its fleet, particularly in a competitive and often volatile airline market.
Chinese aircraft gaining traction
The C919 produced by China’s Commercial Aircraft Corporation (COMAC), has been seen as a possible competitor to the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320. Currently, the aircraft is certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) for domestic operations, but analysts believe it could eventually be approved for Western markets, opening up significant opportunities.
Ryanair has been interested in Chinese planes for over ten years. In 2011, the carrier announced a design partnership with COMAC.
“Ultimately the aircraft will be certified. We’re always focused on buying aircraft at the lowest possible price and at the most opportune time. I don’t care who makes them, whether it’s Boeing, Airbus, or COMAC. As long as the price is right, we’d buy it.”
With an all-Boeing fleet for its primary airline, Ryanair has been a significant 
Boeing customer for a long time. Nonetheless, a limited number of Airbus A320 aircraft are flown by its Austrian affiliate, Lauda Europe . O’Leary also hinted at the possibility of expanding Ryanair’s fleet to include Airbus aircraft for its Lauda operations, though he noted that no reasonable deals for new Airbus jets are expected before 2030. For now, Ryanair remains focused on purchasing aircraft at the lowest price, regardless of the manufacturer.
“I’m not wedded – it doesn’t all have to be 737s, but if we are going to order replacement aircraft they have to be cheap, and that means we have to have cash on the balance sheet that means we’re able to order aircraft during a crisis.”
Ryanair’s financial strategy focuses on buying aircraft during downturns to get better prices, helping the airline stay competitive and grow. Despite recent delivery delays from Boeing, which caused Ryanair to lower its passenger forecast for the following years, the airline still aims to increase its passenger numbers from 200 million to 300 million by 2033 or 2034 if aircraft deliveries improve.
