As of: April 7, 2024, 5:06 a.m
By: Bleranda Shabani
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A Ryanair plane landing (symbolic image). © Imago/JackF/Pond5Images
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary is known for his controversial statements. Now he is defending the stumbling aircraft manufacturer Boeing and criticizing its competitor Airbus.
Frankfurt – The US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has been struggling with safety problems since the beginning of the year. Now major customer and Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary has also sent a few clear words towards the aircraft manufacturers. His company's aircraft are equipped by Boeing, which has recently been plagued with defects and technical malfunctions. That led to Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun announcing his resignation.
In an interview with
Wirtschaftswoche
, O'Leary continued to rely on the Boeing aircraft and even defended them. Apparently it no longer matters that he has criticized Boeing as a company several times in the past, even saying in
Skift
magazine : “Boeing loves to talk corporate bullshit” or complaining about delivery delays. The major Boeing 737 customer would like to buy a further 360 Boeing aircraft in the next ten years.
Boeing in crisis: O'Leary defends Boeing CEO
Boeing has recently caused a stir. After several successive mishaps, the company has come under harsh public criticism. It's gotten to the point where passengers are worried about even getting on a Boeing plane. An American travel agency even runs a website called “Am I flying on a Boeing?” where you can check whether the flight you booked is on a Boeing aircraft or not.
This also has consequences for the Boeing leadership. David Calhoun, the company's current CEO, actually came to clean up after two fatal 737 Max crashes in 2018 and 2019. But now he has announced his retirement at the end of the year. Whoever is leaving now is Stan Deal. He was the head of the civil aircraft division and just last week lost his position with immediate effect. “Fortunately!” says the Ryanair managing director of
Wirtschaftswoche
.
O'Leary continues: “Stan is a great guy, a great salesman and service manager. But even though he's an engineer, he wasn't the right person for the job. The weak points at Boeing are not the research, development and design of the aircraft.”
Ryanair boss on Boeing CEO: “You saved Boeing”
When asked what Boeing's problem was, O'Leary cited errors in final assembly. “It’s manufacturing. The final assembly in Seattle was sloppy. The work organization and quality control there must be top-notch again. Likewise in the US factory in Wichita, where the holes for processing are drilled. The new management must finally tackle the problem, together with the local workforce.” The process for this is already underway, emphasizes the Ryanair boss.
He rejects all accusations currently being made against CEO David Calhoun. Calhoun alone is not responsible for the problems and has done “absolutely great” work in recent years together with CFO Brian West. “They saved Boeing. But the two of them and the entire company are treated extremely unfairly.” In addition, O'Leary would prefer if David Calhoun remained CEO.
Ryanair boss criticizes Airbus
Boeing's competitor Airbus, on the other hand, is treated more lightly in public in the event of breakdowns, criticizes O'Leary and shoots against the European aircraft manufacturer. “At Airbus, hundreds of aircraft are in the workshop for months because the engines have defects. And almost nobody talks about it. But when a Boeing loses a landing gear or an engine cowling, everyone hysterically points at Boeing, even though these were maintenance errors on the part of the airline in question.”
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Nevertheless, Airbus is still on the Irish low-cost airline's shopping list. Ryanair is reportedly planning to increase the number of Airbus A320s for Lauda's fleet. The expansion is intended to strengthen the subsidiary Lauda Europe, which relies on Airbus aircraft.
Ryanair itself, on the other hand, has never operated an Airbus brand aircraft and has committed itself to the Boeing 737 aircraft. By increasing the Airbus A320 for Lauda Europe, the company would make a radical change and send a clear signal to aircraft operators. Because by publicly announcing Ryanair's intention to acquire Airbus aircraft, they are putting pressure on both aircraft manufacturers. In this way, the airline could secure improved conditions and prices.