US Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi is raising red flags about Ryanair's potential interest in purchasing Chinese-made COMAC jets. In a letter to Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary, Krishnamoorthi cautioned against considering the purchase of COMAC’s C919 aircraft due to security concerns.

Krishnamoorthi, a prominent Democratic politician and Ranking Member of the Select Committee focused on the Chinese Communist Party, emphasized that US and European airlines should steer clear of aircraft produced by Chinese military-linked companies. Expressing his apprehensions, Krishnamoorthi urged O’Leary to rethink the airline's stance following comments made by the CEO in a Skift interview in March 2025, where O’Leary hinted at the possibility of purchasing the COMAC aircraft if it offered a significant cost advantage: “If it was cheap enough – 10 or 20% cheaper than an Airbus aircraft – then we’d order it.”

The COMAC C919, intended to compete with the likes of Airbus A320 and Boeing 737, has garnered interest from Chinese airlines. Despite its popularity in China, the aircraft has yet to receive certification from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), with an estimated three to six-year wait for approval. Nonetheless, O’Leary expressed optimism during his Skift interview that the C919 will eventually earn certification from European regulators, opening doors for Ryanair to operate the aircraft: “I don’t care who makes them, whether it’s Boeing, Airbus, or Comac. As long as the price is right, we’d buy it.”

Krishnamoorthi’s concerns primarily revolve around the perceived close ties between COMAC and the Chinese military. Responding to Krishnamoorthi's letter, O’Leary assured that Ryanair would explore other aircraft manufacturers, including COMAC, if US tariffs impact the cost of the airline's Boeing orders. In a letter seen by Reuters, O’Leary stated, “If the US government proceeds with its ill-judged plan to impose tariffs, and if these tariffs materially affect the price of Boeing aircraft exports to Europe, then we would certainly reassess both our current Boeing orders.”

Furthermore, Ryanair, as reported by ch-aviation, is anticipating deliveries of 29 Boeing 737 MAX 8 200s and 150 MAX 10s. O’Leary's reaction, emphasizing the potential shift in aircraft procurement plans, underscores the intricate decisions airlines face amidst geopolitical and economic uncertainties in the aviation industry.