Airlines Ryanair orders up to 300 Boeing 737-10

Europe’s largest budget airline Ryanair has underlined its ambitions to grow in the European market by signing purchase agreements for up to 300 new 737 MAX aircraft. Together with Boeing, Ryanair has signed a firm purchase agreement for 150 of the largest aircraft in the MAX family, the 737-10 version. The carrier also holds options for 150 more.

After the grounding of the global 737 MAX aircraft fleet due to safety concerns, Ryanair has rapidly grown its fleet of 737-8-200 aircraft, which the airline developed together with the manufacturer. The variant features more seats to accommodate more passengers. The new aircraft type ordered now offers Ryanair 228 seats and will successively replace older 737-800 aircraft.

"Ryanair is pleased to sign this record aircraft order for up to 300 MAX 10s with our aircraft partner Boeing. These new, fuel efficient, greener technology aircraft offer 21% more seats, burn 20% less fuel and are 50% quieter than our B737-NGs," said Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's Group CEO.

Regarding the integration of the aircraft into the current fleet, O'Leary added: "We expect half of this order will replace older NGs while the remaining 150 aircraft will facilitate controlled, sustainable growth to just over 300m guests per annum by 2034.  This order, coupled with our remaining Gamechanger deliveries, will create 10,000 new jobs for highly paid aviation professionals over the next decade, and these jobs will be generated across all of Europe's main economies where Ryanair is currently the No.1 or No.2 airline."

Boeing President and CEO Dave Calhoun commented: "The Boeing-Ryanair partnership is one of the most productive in commercial aviation history, enabling both companies to succeed and expand affordable travel to hundreds of millions of people […] Nearly a quarter century after our companies signed our first direct airplane purchase, this landmark deal will further strengthen our partnership. We are committed to delivering for Ryanair and helping the airline group achieve its goals."

Ryanair was founded in 1984 and has since then become one of the most well-known ultra-low-cost-carriers in the industry. Currently, the fleet consists of 279 aircraft: 222 Boeing 737-800s and 57 Boeing 737 MAX 8-200.