WE’RE WELL used to buying clothes, toys and electrical goods with “Made in China” labels on them but would we be prepared to board an aircraft made there?
Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has no difficulties with the concept.
The airline this week signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese manufacturer Comac to co-operate on the design and specifications of a new C919 short-haul commercial aircraft.
“It’s rubbish,” O’Leary told me in reaction to concerns about Chinese manufacturing skills.
“The Chinese are manufacturing just about everything else. Airbus are assembling their aircraft in China. And the Chinese are making more space rockets than the US.”
Comac is working on a design that could involve 198 or 199 seats. This compares with 189 seats that Ryanair’s Boeing 737 currently fits.
“If we can get an extra 10 to 12 extra seats, that will make a huge difference to us.”
If all goes to plan, and the price is right, O’Leary said Ryanair could be taking aircraft from Comac in 2017/18.
Ryanair’s current deal with Boeing runs out in 2013, by which time its fleet will comprise 300 aircraft.
O’Leary wants to add another 200 planes to the fleet and will hope that his link up with Comac might give him a bit of leverage with Boeing and Airbus on a new order.
Will the Chinese design allow him to charge for toilets? “I would certainly hope so,” he said. “But that’s a long way down our list of design requirements.”
O’Leary isn’t the only big European carrier exploring a partnership with Comac.
Willie Walsh’s BA has signed a similar agreement with the Chinese company.
Great minds think alike.
