Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has publicly discussed the possibility of acquiring European low-cost carrier Ryanair. This comes after a public disagreement with Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary regarding Starlink's impact on aircraft fuel consumption. The potential move has sparked considerable discussion across the aviation and business sectors.
Key Takeaways
- Elon Musk expressed interest in buying Ryanair.
- The discussion arose from a dispute over Starlink's fuel efficiency.
- Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary holds a significant stake in the airline.
- Other airline industry news includes JetBlue ending its JSX partnership and a near tail strike involving American Airlines.
Musk-O'Leary Feud Ignites Acquisition Talk
The unusual exchange began when Ryanair's CEO, Michael O'Leary, publicly criticized Starlink's in-flight Wi-Fi system. O'Leary claimed that the added weight and aerodynamic drag from Starlink equipment would result in a 2% increase in fuel consumption for Ryanair's short-haul flights. He argued this made the technology too costly for the budget airline's operational model.
Elon Musk quickly responded, stating that O'Leary was "misinformed" and that the incremental drag would be effectively negligible. This public spat escalated, leading Musk to muse about purchasing the airline. He even suggested placing "someone whose actual name is Ryan in charge" if he were to proceed with the acquisition.
Did You Know?
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary reportedly owns approximately 50 million shares in the airline. This significant stake could make any potential acquisition a complex but potentially lucrative exit strategy for O'Leary.
Airline Industry Sees Partner Shifts and Incidents
Beyond the high-profile Musk-Ryanair drama, other significant developments are unfolding in the aviation industry. JetBlue Airways is ending its partnership with JSX, a public charter airline, effective February 28. JetBlue previously held an investment in JSX, though the exact status of that stake remains undisclosed as JSX is a private entity.
This move by JetBlue suggests a broader strategy of shedding partnerships. United Airlines and Qatar Airways have also been listed as investors in JSX in the past. United, in particular, has seen closer ties with JSX, with JSX credits becoming part of the Chase card portfolio refresh.
Near Tail Strike Incident for American Airlines
A recent incident involving an American Airlines Airbus A321XLR has drawn attention. On January 15, flight AA255 from JFK experienced a near tail strike during its landing. The event, captured on a 24/7 airline video broadcast, involved a brand new aircraft. Airbus has previously published articles on preventing tail strikes, highlighting that such incidents are not uncommon in the industry.
Industry Context
Tail strikes, while rare, can cause significant damage and require extensive inspections. Between January 2022 and September 2024, Airbus reported 49 tail strike events. This has led to the manufacturer publishing safety guidelines focused on landing flare, takeoff rotation, and go-around procedures.
United CEO Considers Flighty App Acquisition
In other news, United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has expressed interest in acquiring the Flighty app. This application provides real-time flight tracking and information to passengers. Kirby's interest was highlighted during an interview, where he showcased what many observers describe as impressive clarity and customer focus.
The potential acquisition of Flighty by United would represent a strategic move to enhance the airline's digital offerings and improve the customer experience for its passengers. Such an integration could provide United passengers with more direct and immediate access to flight status updates and other travel-related information.
Credit Card Application Scrutiny Increases
Away from direct airline news, a report from the Washington Post detailed how efficiency in filling out credit card applications might influence approval. The article suggests that rapid completion or copy-pasting personal information, such as Social Security numbers, addresses, or income, could flag an application for review. This is because normal applicants tend to type information manually and take time to double-check details.
- Time on page: Vendors like Bio-Catch track the time applicants spend on each page.
- Mouse tracks: Straight-line mouse movements from field to field can suggest automation, while human interaction typically involves curved movements and hovering.
- Browser history: Applying from incognito windows or VPNs can raise red flags, as lenders prefer to see a browser history indicating a real person.
- Gyroscope data: On mobile devices, a perfectly flat phone during application might indicate a device farm, whereas real people tend to hold their phones, resulting in slight movements.
These sophisticated tracking methods aim to detect fraudulent activity by analyzing user behavior patterns during the application process.
