Krishnamoorthi Warns of Security Risks After One of Europe’s Largest Airlines Suggests Interest in Chinese COMAC Aircraft

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) of the House Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sent a letter to Michael O’Leary, Chief Executive Officer of Ryanair, over reports the airline group, one of Europe’s largest airlines, would consider purchasing aircraft from Commercial Aircraft of Corporation of China (COMAC). COMAC is a direct beneficiary of the CCP’s Made in China 2025 strategy, which seeks to supplant U.S. and European leadership in the aviation sector. Our aviation leadership is critical to both our economic and national security. 

Last month, O’Leary was quoted as stating that the “Chinese are basically building a…A320. So if it was cheap enough – 10 or 20% cheaper than an Airbus aircraft – then we’d order it.” Ryanair currently flies Boeing planes built in the U.S. 

In response, Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi seeks clarification from Ryanair on its past and present relationship with COMAC, including any discussions about future purchases or leases, details of a prior “design partnership agreement,” and communications with the European Aviation Safety Agency regarding the uncertified C919 aircraft. 

The Ranking Member writes: “Evidence indicates that COMAC has benefited from extensive government subsidies, forced technology transfers, and illicit acquisition of foreign intellectual property to accelerate its development. News reports and indictments by the U.S. Department of Justice have described in great detail the CCP’s vast industrial espionage campaign at COMAC’s behest, including the theft of intellectual property by the Ministry of State Security. These illicit actions are what allow COMAC to potentially undercut its competition on price, as you alluded to in your quote.”

The letter also notes that the U.S. Department of Defense recently red-flagged COMAC as a Chinese military company, and that “U.S. and European airlines should not be even contemplating the future purchase of airplanes from Chinese military companies.” 

Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi further requests that Mr. O’Leary retract his statement and commit to not purchasing COMAC airplanes given the profound national security threat they present.

Read the report in Reuters HERE. 

Read the letter HERE.