Ryanair commits to Boeing with increased order for 737 Max aircraft

Ryanair has demonstrated its confidence in the controversial Boeing 737 Max after increasing its order from 135 to 210 aircraft.

The budget carrier insisted the Max remains a ‘fabulous aircraft’ that will underpin its European expansion in 2021 and beyond.

It is understood the airline secured a cut price deal for the 75 additional aircraft following months of delays.

The 737 Max has been grounded since March 2019 following two fatal crashes, one in Indonesia and the second in Ethiopia.

But the Federal Aviation Authority has cleared the aircraft for take-off in the US again after approving changes to faulty software that caused the two accidents.

Boeing admitted it still faced work to win the trust of the travelling public.

Ryanair said the additional order was worth $22m. It will recieve the 210 aircraft over a four-year period from spring 2021 to December 2024.

The carrier said some of the compensation received from Boeing for the late delivery was factored into a ‘modest reduction in the pricing of this new aircraft order which has encouraged Ryanair to increase the firm order’.

Ryanair Group Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said it hopes to take delivery of 50 Max planes during 2021.

"We are pleased and proud to place this enlarged order with Boeing, who have successfully completed the return to service of the Boeing MAX aircraft," he said. "The Boeing MAX is a fabulous aircraft with more seats, more leg room, lower fares, lower fuel consumption, and it sets incredible environmental standards, including 40% less noise and lower CO2 emissions.

"We hope to take delivery of at least 50 of these aircraft in 2021, subject to Boeing recovering its manufacturing output to deliver them. For as long as the Covid-19 pandemic depresses air travel, we will use these new aircraft to replace some of our older Boeing NG fleet, which will remain grounded until pre-Covid demand returns.

"But as soon as the Covid-19 virus recedes – and it will in 2021 with the rollout of multiple effective vaccines – Ryanair and our partner airports across Europe will – with these environmentally efficient aircraft – rapidly restore flights and schedules, recover lost traffic and help the nations of Europe recover their tourism industry, and get young people back to work across the cities, beaches, and ski resorts of the EU."

Boeing’s President and Chief Executive Dave Calhoun added: "Ryanair will continue to play a leading role in our industry when Europe recovers from the Covid-19 pandemic and air traffic returns to growth across the continent.

"We are gratified that Ryanair is once again placing its confidence in the Boeing 737 family and building their future fleet with this enlarged firm order.

"Boeing remains focused on safely returning the full 737 fleet to service and on delivering the backlog of airplanes to Ryanair and our other customers in the new year.

"We firmly believe in this airplane and we will continue the work to re-earn the trust of all of our customers."