…By Henry George for TDPel Media.
Ryanair has ordered 300 new Boeing 737 Max aircraft, including firm orders for 150 of the planes and options for another 150.
The deal is worth over $40bn (£32bn) at list prices.
The planes, each of which will have 228 seats, will be delivered between 2027 and 2033.
Ryanair group chief executive Michael O’Leary said the purchase would create 10,000 jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers.
The planes are expected to enable Ryanair to increase passenger numbers to 300 million by 2034.
The transaction is subject to shareholder approval at Ryanair’s annual general meeting on 14 September.
The deal is the largest order by an Irish company for goods made in the US.
Ryanair said the aircraft are 21% more fuel efficient and generate 50% less noise than its Boeing 737-NG planes.
Analysis and Commentary:
Ryanair’s new purchase of Boeing 737 Max planes highlights the ongoing demand for air travel as global economies recover from the pandemic.
The order also demonstrates the confidence that Ryanair has in the future of the aviation industry.
The deal is notable for the large number of jobs that will be created as a result of the purchase.
Ryanair’s commitment to hiring 10,000 aviation professionals over the next decade is a positive development for the industry, which has faced significant challenges due to the pandemic.
In addition to creating jobs, the purchase will enable Ryanair to increase its passenger numbers and widen the gap between the airline and its competitors.
The fuel-efficient planes will also help Ryanair to achieve its environmental targets by reducing its carbon emissions.
The deal is significant for Boeing, which has faced significant challenges in recent years due to the grounding of its 737 Max planes following two fatal crashes.
Ryanair’s order represents a significant endorsement of the 737 Max and is a positive development for Boeing as it seeks to rebuild confidence in its planes.
The Ryanair-Boeing deal is a positive development for the aviation industry and highlights the resilience of the sector in the face of significant challenges.
The order will create jobs, increase passenger numbers, and enable Ryanair to maintain its competitive edge in the European market.