Ryanair, a leading European low-cost airline, could be considering a major shift in its aircraft purchasing strategy. Michael O’Leary, the airline’s CEO, recently revealed that Ryanair would be open to buying Chinese-made aircraft if the price was competitive enough. Specifically, O’Leary mentioned that if the price of a Chinese-built plane, such as the C919, was 10 to 20 percent cheaper than an equivalent Airbus A320, Ryanair would be willing to make a purchase.
This statement comes amidst increasing attention to China’s ambitions in the commercial aviation market. Although the country’s commercial aircraft production is still in its early stages, many industry analysts believe China will eventually become a formidable competitor to the long-established dominance of Western manufacturers like Airbus and Boeing. At the forefront of this shift is the C919, a new-generation aircraft developed by the Commercial Aircraft Corporation of China (Comac), a state-owned company founded in 2008.
The C919 is designed to compete directly with the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737, two of the world’s most widely used short- to medium-haul aircraft. Despite China’s relatively recent entry into the commercial airliner market, the C919 has already garnered significant interest. The aircraft has accumulated hundreds of orders, primarily from state-owned airlines such as Air China and China Southern Airlines, signaling a shift in the global aerospace industry.
China’s first foray into commercial aviation, the ARJ21 regional jet, has had a more modest impact. It has delivered only around 130 units since its inception, but the C919’s development is viewed as a more ambitious effort, with greater potential to disrupt the market. The aircraft made its first flight in 2017, after several years of delays, and it has since made progress towards receiving necessary certifications.
At present, the C919 has not yet received certification from international regulatory bodies, but it has been approved by China’s Civil Aviation Administration. This leaves it primarily restricted to operations within China, though the aircraft’s international certification is expected in the near future, and it may eventually gain traction in global markets. In fact, O’Leary’s remarks suggest that Ryanair, known for its keen focus on cost efficiency, could consider the C919 as a viable option if it meets its price and performance expectations.
While the idea of Ryanair, a European airline, turning to Chinese-built aircraft may seem surprising, O’Leary’s stance reflects his well-known reputation for aggressively negotiating costs. His willingness to explore non-Western aircraft alternatives highlights a potential shift in the airline industry, where price increasingly drives purchasing decisions, even at the risk of embracing untested technologies. Should Ryanair decide to order Chinese aircraft, it could pave the way for other carriers to follow suit, signaling a dramatic shift in the balance of power in the commercial aviation sector.
As for Comac, the successful production and international adoption of the C919 would represent a significant leap forward for China’s aviation industry. It would mark the country’s transition from an aerospace underdog to a serious competitor, challenging the long-standing duopoly of Airbus and Boeing. The C919’s success would not only alter global aviation dynamics but also potentially redefine the geopolitics of air travel, as airlines around the world increasingly look to China as a viable source of aircraft.
In the end, the decision will come down to price, performance, and reliability. Ryanair’s willingness to consider Chinese-built planes reflects the growing influence of cost in an industry that has long been dominated by Western manufacturers. The future of the C919, as well as China’s role in the commercial aviation sector, is one that will undoubtedly be watched closely by industry insiders and competitors alike.
