Elon Musk, Ryanair CEO escalate feud over Starlink – Business News
Elon Musk on Friday referred to as Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary an “utter idiot” who must be fired, escalating a public spat that started after the airline boss ruled out putting in Musk’s Starlink web service on Ryanair plane.
O’Leary on Wednesday dismissed the thought of equipping any of Ryanair’s more than 600 jets with Musk’s Starlink, citing the affect of fuel prices from drag brought on by the antenna and estimating the service would price the airline up to $250 million a yr.
Musk responded on his social media platform X, saying that O’Leary was “misinformed” and arguing that Ryanair didn’t know how to measure the fuel affect of Starlink gear.
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary ruled out putting in Musk’s Starlink web service on his plane. AFP through Getty Images
Speaking later to Irish radio station Newstalk, O’Leary mentioned Musk knew “zero” about aviation and drag, calling the billionaire an “idiot” and describing X as a “cesspit.”
Musk, whose company SpaceX operates Starlink, fired back on Friday.
“Ryanair CEO is an utter idiot. Fire him,” Musk posted on X. When a follower instructed Musk ought to buy Ryanair and dismiss O’Leary himself, Musk replied: “Good idea.”
Airlines have change into an more and more important buyer base for Starlink, a community powered by 1000’s of low‑Earth orbit satellites that goals to offer sooner and more dependable in‑flight WiFi.
Elon Musk’s SpaceX operates Starlink. “Ryanair CEO is an utter idiot. Fire him,” Musk posted Getty Images
O’Leary estimated the service would price the airline up to $250 million a yr. gordzam – stock.adobe.com
More than two dozen carriers — together with United Airlines, Qatar Airways and Lufthansa — are rolling out the service throughout their fleets.
While financial phrases haven’t been disclosed, analysts view Starlink as a premium product prone to appeal primarily to long‑haul and full‑service airways.
