A US lawmaker has urged Ryanair to avoid purchasing aircraft from Chinese planemaker COMAC, citing security concerns. The call comes after the airline’s CEO made comments indicating that the low-cost Irish carrier would consider buying Chinese jets at the right price.
US Representative Raja Krishnamoorthi, has requested clarification from Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary regarding the airline’s past and present ties with the Chinese aircraft manufacturer.
In his enquiry, Krishnamoorthi cited concerns over COMAC’s close links to the Chinese military and asked whether Ryanair has engaged in any discussions related to future purchases or leases of its aircraft.
“Evidence indicates that COMAC has benefited from extensive government subsidies, forced technology transfers, and illicit acquisition of foreign intellectual property to accelerate its development,” said Krishnamoorthi, the ranking member of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. “US and European airlines should not be even contemplating the future purchase of airplanes from Chinese military companies."
Krishnamoorthi added that COMAC, a state-owned enterprise, plays a central role in the Chinese Communist Party’s efforts to “dominate” the global commercial aviation sector, at the expense of US and European companies.
Last month, O'Leary stated that he would order aircraft from China if the price was right, commenting: "the Chinese are basically
building an A320. So, if it was cheap enough – 10 or 20% cheaper than an Airbus aircraft – then we’d order it."
The airline chief also 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.
Krishnamoorthi has given O’Leary a deadline of May 15, 2025, to respond to a series of questions regarding Ryanair’s interactions with COMAC and whether the airline intends to take back earlier remarks suggesting a potential commitment to purchasing its aircraft.