Ryanair said that it would look for an alternative aircraft supplier if tariffs imposed by the US have a material impact on the price of aircraft it has ordered from Boeing, Reuters reported, citing a letter written by Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary.
"If the US government proceeds with its ill-judged plan to impose tariffs, and if these tariffs materially affect the price of Boeing aircraft exports to Europe, then we would certainly reassess both our current Boeing orders, and the possibility of placing those orders elsewhere," O'Leary said in a letter to a US lawmaker, seen by the media outlet.
This letter was reportedly a response to a letter sent to O’Leary by US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, who warned against Ryanair purchasing Chinese-made aircraft due to security concerns, following prior comments made by O'Leary that he would consider doing so at the right price.
O'Leary said in the letter that the Irish airline has not had any discussions with COMAC about aircraft purchases since about 2011 but that it would "of course" consider it if they were 10%-20% cheaper than Boeing's main rival Airbus.
Ryanair signalled in April that the carrier could delay deliveries of new Boeing aircraft if they increase in price due to newly imposed tariffs by the US.
Ryanair is due to receive 25 Boeing aircraft from August, but the airline does not need the planes until March or April of next year.
As of April 8, 2025, Ryanair has a fleet comprising of 594 737 aircraft.