Ryanair Warns Boeing: Fix the Tariff Crisis or Lose $30 Billion Order

Trump’s tariffs are shaking up global aviation. What began as a political maneuver now threatens to collapse one of the biggest aircraft deals in commercial airline history.

Ryanair, Europe’s largest budget airline, has delivered a blunt warning: its colossal order for 330 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft—valued at over $30 billion—is on the verge of collapse due to U.S. tariffs.

The carrier stated that escalating costs, driven by trade tensions and tariffs introduced under former President Trump, may force them to walk away from the deal.

Ryanair’s outspoken CEO, Michael O’Leary, didn’t hold back. He made it crystal clear that the current tariffs are unacceptable and that Boeing must find a way to make the order financially viable. “We won’t proceed with a deal that becomes unaffordable,” O’Leary said, signaling that the airline is prepared to cancel the entire agreement if the price impact is not resolved.

All Eyes on Boeing as Tariffs Tip the Balance

With no specific tariff protections built into long-standing aviation contracts, Boeing now faces mounting pressure. The aircraft maker, already struggling with supply chain issues and production delays, risks losing a major customer in one of its largest ever MAX deals. Industry experts warn that this could set a dangerous precedent if other airlines follow suit.

Ryanair Eyes China’s COMAC as a Bold Alternative

In a surprising twist, O’Leary floated the idea of replacing Boeing jets with Chinese-made aircraft. Ryanair is seriously considering COMAC’s C919, a narrow-body jet designed to rival both the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320.

While Ryanair has traditionally flown an all-Boeing fleet, the airline’s reputation for aggressive cost-cutting makes the COMAC option a real possibility.“If the price is right, we’re open to Chinese planes,” said O’Leary.

This move would represent a seismic shift in the global aviation market and deal a major blow to Boeing’s dominance.

The warning from Ryanair, first reported by Reuters, has sent shockwaves through the aviation sector. Aircraft orders of this scale are rarely cancelled due to long production queues and limited manufacturers. However, the current geopolitical climate is upending industry norms, with trade policy directly impacting aircraft deals for the first time in decades.