Ryanair Threatens to Cancel Massive 737 MAX Order Over U.S. Tariffs
In a sharp turn that could have real implications for Boeing’s commercial business in Europe, Ryanair is warning it may walk away from its $30 billion order for 330 Boeing 737 MAX jets, if the U.S. proceeds with proposed tariffs on aircraft.
In a May 2025 letter, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary made it clear: if the tariffs are approved and Boeing increases prices because of them, Ryanair won’t accept the added cost. “Our customers should not have to pay,” O’Leary said in a statement.
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What’s This About?
The issue comes down to trade tensions we’re seeing from president Trump. The U.S. government is weighing new tariffs on aircraft parts, which would directly impact Boeing’s bottom line, as they are a US based company. Boeing, in turn, could pass those costs on to airlines. But Ryanair says that’s not going to fly with them.
If Boeing can’t absorb those costs, Ryanair is threatening to cancel its entire MAX order. That’s no small threat. It is seen as a major pressure point since Ryanair is the largest Boeing 737 customer in Europe.
Ryanair Exploring Alternatives
O’Leary also hinted that Ryanair could move to other suppliers. One name that’s come up is COMAC, China’s state-owned aircraft manufacturer—specifically its C919 jet, which is aimed at competing with the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families. I think O’Leary is one of the industry's best CEOs, for a lot of reasons, which this just shows because that statement is completely strategic.
Now, to be clear, Ryanair hasn't announced any concrete orders with COMAC, and there’s still a lot of skepticism about whether COMAC planes can compete head-to-head with Boeing and Airbus on performance, reliability, and certification in Europe. But the fact that Ryanair is even bringing COMAC into the conversation shows they are serious, and this isn’t just talk.
That said, it isn’t as simple as switching manufacturers. COMAC’s C919 isn’t currently certified to fly in Europe, and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) says it could take three to six years to get the green light. That pushes any real possibility of a COMAC aircraft flying for Ryanair out to around 2028 at the earliest.
So is COMAC a real option? Not really in the short term. It’s more of a long game, one that could become more relevant down the line, especially if trade tensions continue and if COMAC can prove its aircraft are competitive on reliability, cost, and support. All of these are big what ifs, and I’m going to bet that this won’t all fall in place but hey, GLOBAL airlines also just flew their first flight much against my skepticism.
Why It Matters
This isn’t just about one airline or one manufacturer. It shows how trade policy ripples through global aviation. Boeing relies heavily on exports, especially to low-cost carriers like Ryanair that order aircraft in bulk. If tariffs start impacting pricing, airlines may start shopping elsewhere, even if “elsewhere” means entering into relatively untested territory with newer manufacturers. This is a gamble for them, but we see time and time again airlines taking gambles to cut costs *cough cough*..Boeing.
So this also adds another layer of pressure for Boeing, which is still working to recover its reputation and production pace after years of MAX-related issues, supply chain hiccups, and delivery delays.
Final Thoughts
Right now, it’s up to the U.S. to decide whether the tariffs go through. If they do and Boeing raises its prices, Ryanair is likely to respond quickly, either by pushing for better terms or looking at other options.
There’s also a bigger picture here. Mentioning COMAC, Ryanair is showing that it’s open to exploring alternatives, and that plays directly into the ongoing U.S.–China trade tensions. If one of Boeing’s largest European customers starts considering a Chinese aircraft, it puts extra pressure on both Boeing and Washington. It also helps China position COMAC as a serious competitor in global aviation, alongside Airbus and Boeing.
What’s clear is that Ryanair is using its massive 737 MAX order as leverage to push back on added costs and get the upper hand in a much bigger negotiation.
