After a long wait, Ryanair has finally taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 Max jet
The jet left the Boeing facility in Seattle, Washington en route for Dublin and marks the first delivery of Ryanair’s 210 firm orders of what it calls a ‘gamechanger’ aircraft.
The airline has been waiting nearly two years for its first delivery due to the global grounding of the Boeing Max and logistic issues caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The new aircraft – which Ryanair refers to as the Boeing 737-8200 and not the Max – will carry 4% more passengers but reduces fuel consumption by 16% per seat, as well as lower noise emissions by 40%.
Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said: "We are delighted to take delivery of our first new technology gamchanger aircraft. These new Boeing 737 aircraft will help Ryanair lower costs, cut fuel consumption and lower noise and CO2 emissions."
Ryanair says it will only take delivery of a dozen Max jets during summer 2021 with six in Ryanair colours and six in Malta Air livery.
It expects to take delivery of an additional 50 aircraft before summer 2022, O’Leary said.
