Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary Escalates Feud with Elon Musk
Michael O’Leary, the CEO of Ryanair, recently intensified his ongoing feud with Elon Musk. On Tuesday, O’Leary announced a promotional event dubbed the “Big ‘Idiot’ Seat Sale,” targeting Musk and his recent comments on social media.
Timeline of Events
- February 22, 2024: O’Leary promotes “Big ‘Idiot’ Seat Sale” on social media.
- February 23, 2024: A Ryanair Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 is due to land at Barcelona Airport.
- February 23, 2024: O’Leary schedules a press conference in Dublin to address Musk’s recent statements.
Details of the Feud
The public feud began when O’Leary called Musk “an idiot” during a podcast appearance. Musk quickly retaliated by labeling O’Leary as “an utter idiot,” igniting further exchanges on the platform X.
To parody Musk’s remarks, Ryanair announced a sale featuring 100,000 seats priced at just €16.99 one-way. Promotions included humorous graphics portraying O’Leary and Musk, further fueling the rivalry.
Press Conference and Responses
O’Leary is set to hold a press conference in Dublin, criticizing Musk’s comments about airline operations. He remarked that Musk lacks understanding of airline regulations and aerodynamics.
Musk reacted to the announcement with derogatory remarks, referring to O’Leary in unflattering terms. This exchange underscores their tumultuous relationship and Musk’s assertive approach toward competition, especially with the mention of acquiring Ryanair.
Business Impact
Amidst the feud, Ryanair’s business performance has been noteworthy. The airline experienced a 40% increase in profits from April to September last year, attributed to a surge in local travel within Europe. Ryanair’s stock has also risen over 60% in the past year, indicating strong market performance.
O’Leary briefly featured on Forbes’ billionaire list before leaving it when Ryanair’s stocks fell in 2019. In contrast, Musk remains the wealthiest person globally, with a net worth estimated at $770 billion.
Conclusion
This ongoing feud between O’Leary and Musk not only entertains the public but also highlights contrasting business values. While Musk’s wealth affords him a bold approach, O’Leary’s strategies showcase Ryanair’s resilience in the competitive airline market.
