Ireland's Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has expressed interest in potentially purchasing China’s COMAC C919 aircraft, but only if the price is significantly lower—suggesting a 10–20% discount could make it appealing enough to replace or supplement its current Boeing 737 fleet.
Although the C919 hasn’t been certified for use in Europe yet, the manufacturer is actively working with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), and approval could disrupt the long-standing Airbus–Boeing dominance in the region.
While some view O’Leary’s statement as a strategic move to gain leverage in negotiations with Boeing or Airbus, others believe Ryanair may genuinely be open to diversifying its fleet if the economics are right and certification hurdles are cleared.
Regardless of the motive, the fact that Europe’s largest low-cost airline is publicly considering the C919 signals that China’s ambitious jet is no longer just a domestic player—it’s positioning itself as a serious contender on the global aviation stage.
