Ryanair Shouldn’t Buy COMAC Aircraft

U.S. lawmakers are once more advising against the purchase of COMAC-produced aircraft.

The rejection of COMAC planes centres around prospective interest from the leading European budget carrier Ryanair.

Reuters reporting suggests an internal letter discussed the possibility of purchasing COMAC-produced planes for future flying if the price was deemed right.

Speaking with Skift, the outspoken but insightful Michael O’Leary, the airline’s CEO, said that the prospective purchase of aircraft from China could take place if they were able to find an optimal deal.

Attention to other plane makers follows the considerable supply chain woes that have impacted Airbus and Boeing, throwing delivery timeframes out the window.

However, one of the more pressing concerns now also centres around the ongoing trade tensions between the United States and many other countries worldwide.

Ryanair receives all its aircraft from Boeing; it is one of the American planemaker’s largest customers. Trade tensions aside, Ryanair has become frustrated by Boeing’s persistent struggles, which have led to an inability to give planes to the low-cost carrier on time.

COMAC has long believed it can pounce on the misfortunes being experienced and provide solutions through its commercial aircraft portfolio, but it remains harder than this.

COMAC needs to receive necessary approval from Europe and other markets before it can truly make a pounce on the Western scene; however, many remain sceptical of its adoption.

All that can be said for Ryanair and their prospective interest is that those in the U.S. firmly believe airlines should not be contemplating purchasing commercial aircraft from Chinese companies, period.

Korean Air Rejects COMAC Also

The latest reporting comes just days after Korean Air was also asked the same question, but ultimately rejected the prospect of considering COMAC aircraft because of many hurdles that could not be overcome.

The general hesitancy to adopt these aircraft from the Chinese planemaker continues with Koran Air, which believes a bright future exists but is not considering a purchase.

The South Korean carrier believes it has all the aircraft it needs, and if its backlog needs strengthening further, it will turn to established plane makers such as Airbus and Boeing to do so.

While these companies aren’t without their problems, they have long-standing relationships with Korean Air that are not worth breaking. The airline feels that COMAC-produced planes don’t offer landmark improvements.

Furthermore, concerns remain over the limited adoption of the aircraft and the effects this will have on the maintenance of the planes moving forward and the generalised support system.