Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary refused to install Starlink satellite internet on Ryanair planes. It’s unprofitable. Meanwhile, airBaltic's management is thrilled about the free internet.
As is well known, free cheese only exists in a mousetrap. This also applies to Elon Musk's offer, who is giving all interested airlines Starlink technology for providing Wi-Fi on board airplanes.
However, it’s not that simple. As O'Leary claims, the necessary equipment on the fuselage of the planes increases fuel consumption. Moreover, the installation of equipment to receive satellite signals will cost the company $200-250 million.
Ryanair's fleet consists of 650 aircraft. This means that installing Starlink on one aircraft will cost about $3 million.
airBaltic's fleet consists of 52 airplanes. If we use Michael O'Leary's calculations, equipping them all with Elon Musk's internet will cost airBaltic approximately $150 million. Is this not too expensive for a troubled airline?
The portal bb.lv asked this question directly to airBaltic. We also inquired:
– How many aircraft have already been retrofitted to receive Starlink signals? – How much does it cost to retrofit one aircraft? – Will airBaltic introduce a fee for internet usage to at least partially cover losses?
We have not received a response yet. Perhaps all the press service employees are busy attaching routers to airBaltic planes.
You’re the Fool!
Starlink has thoroughly soured the relationship between the seller (SpaceX head Elon Musk) and the would-be buyer (Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary).
Musk called O'Leary “unbearable” and “an idiot” after he refused to install Starlink technology on his planes.
O'Leary did not hold back his words. Speaking at a press conference this week, he stated that he does not take Musk's insults seriously, noting that he is regularly insulted at home by his four teenage children, as well as by many other people.
“If he wants to call me an idiot – he’s not the first and certainly won’t be the last... But if it helps increase Ryanair's sales, he can insult me all day, every day,” said the Ryanair head.
At the press conference, O'Leary also responded to Musk's alleged intention to buy Ryanair. EU regulations, noted the head of the Irish low-cost airline, do not allow U.S. citizens (and Musk was born in South Africa and lives in the U.S.) to hold a controlling stake in a European airline, but “investments are welcome.”
O'Leary mentioned that his team would go to the Dublin office of X to present Musk with a free Ryanair ticket as a token of appreciation for the “wonderful boost” in publicity.
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