Ryanair Confirms Order for 75 Additional 737 MAX Aircraft

After rumors spread about Ryanair adding more Boeing 737 MAX airframes to their fleet, both parties have confirmed the transaction. The Irish ultra-low-cost carrier placed a firm order 75 additional aircraft, opting to add more higher capacity MAX 8-200’s to their original order of 135.

The rumored transaction is true: Ryanair will add 75 more Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to their fleet, for a total order of 210 jets. In a press release, both groups confirmed Ryanair’s long-term commitment to the troubled airframe with the increased purchase.

Ryanair Remains Launch Customer For 737 MAX 8-200 Variant

Under the deal, Ryanair will add 75 737 MAX 8-200 airframes to their fleet. The MAX 8-200 is a higher capacity version of the original aircraft, which can fit up to 200 seats in the fuselage. The current plan is to outfit the MAX 8-200 with 197 seats, which will burn 16 percent less fuel compared to previous 737 airframes.

“As soon as the COVID-19 virus recedes – and it likely 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 industries,” Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said in a statement. “And get young people back to work across the cities, beaches and ski resorts of the European Union.”

The order comes on the heels of the Federal Aviation Administration re-certifying the Boeing 737 MAX for passenger service after a 20-month grounding. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) also set a list of requirements for the aircraft to begin operating over European skies, with re-training on the new computer system allowed to begin immediately.

According to Boeing, the MAX 8-200 was specifically designed for the low-cost carrier market, allowing airlines to carry more passengers while reducing fuel burn by 20 percent. Ryanair will begin taking 737 MAX deliveries in 2021, with the 210-aircraft order expected to be complete by 2024.

Public Backlash Remains on Re-Certifying 737 MAX

Although Boeing and Ryanair are celebrating the order as a success, not everyone is ready to accept the return of the airframe responsible for killing 346 flyers in two accidents across six months. Consumer advocate group FlyersRights.org is suing the FAA over a Freedom of Information Act request, alleging the FAA and Boeing hid crucial data about the 737 MAX as “trade secrets.”

In the announcement today, Boeing says the aircraft is safe to return for passenger operations.

“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,” Boeing chief executive Dave Calhoun said in the press release. “We firmly believe in this airplane, and we will continue the work to re-earn the trust of all of our customers.”