Ryanair places major Boeing order in bid to double traffic
Tue, May 9, 2023, 7:23 AM EDT
WASHINGTON/DUBLIN (Reuters) -Ireland's Ryanair unveiled a
multibillion-dollar deal for as many as 300 Boeing jets on Tuesday, burying the hatchet with its biggest supplier after an 18-month public feud over prices strained one of aviation's closest partnerships.
Europe's largest low-cost carrier said it was placing a firm order for 150 of the largest version of Boeing's narrow-body jet family, known as the 737 MAX 10, with options for another 150.
Ryanair said the order would allow it to almost double its traffic to 300 million passengers per year by March 2034 from the 168 million flown to the end of March this year. It currently expects to fly 225 million passengers a year by 2026.
On Monday, Reuters first reported that Ryanair was close to a major deal for Boeing jets. Earlier on Tuesday, sources said the deal could involve up to 200-300 jets including options.
The deal delivers a boost to the largest version of Boeing's 737 MAX, a best-selling series whose deliveries have been depressed by a two-year safety crisis and post-COVID disruption.
Ryanair has long expressed interest in the 230-seat MAX 10 variant, which has yet to be certified. But its boss pledged not to overpay for the 30 extra seats, telling Reuters in March he could also order more of the existing 200-seat 737 MAX 8200.
The deal also marks a long-awaited truce between Boeing and Ryanair, whose outspoken Chief Executive Michael O'Leary last year broke off talks and issued a barrage of criticism over pricing and delays in the arrival of previously ordered jets.
THIS IS BIG FOR BA!