Ryanair takes delivery of first Boeing 737 Max aircraft
Ryanair receives first ‘gamechanger’ Boeing 737 Max aircraft, more than two years after the jet was grounded following fatal crashes
- ‘We’re delighted to take delivery of our first “gamechanger”‘ – Michael O’Leary
- Ryanair said it expected to take delivery of 12 Max planes this summer
- The Irish carrier has 210 firm orders of the 197-seat Max200 model
Ryanair has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 Max jet in Dublin after the airline took possession of the plane earlier in Seattle, the home of the Boeing factory where it’s manufactured.
‘We are delighted to take delivery of our first new technology “gamechanger” aircraft,’ Group Chief Executive Michael O’Leary said in an emailed statement.
The company said it expected to take delivery of 12 Boeing 737-8200s this summer, with six delivered in Ryanair colours and six in Malta Air colours. It expects an additional 50 to be delivered before summer 2022.
Ryanair has taken delivery of its first Boeing 737 Max jet in Dublin. The picture above shows three Ryanair-owned Max aircraft at Renton Municipal Airport, which lies near the Seattle Boeing factory where the aircraft is manufactured
The largest European customer of the Max with 210 firm orders of the 197-seat Max200 model, Ryanair was initially due to take delivery of its first Max two years ago before the jet was grounded for 20 months after two fatal crashes.
Since then, the Irish airline has announced repeated delays, cutting its planned deliveries in time for use in summer 2021.
The Max was Boeing’s fastest-selling model before it was grounded in March 2019 following crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in which 346 people died.
The largest European customer of the Max with 210 firm orders of the 197-seat Max200 model, Ryanair was initially due to take delivery of its first Max two years ago before the jet was grounded for 20 months after two fatal crashes
This picture shows the Max contracts being signed in Washington DC last December. Left to right: Stan Deal, Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO, Dave Calhoun, Boeing president and chief executive officer, Michael O’Leary, Ryanair Group CEO, and Stan McCarthy, Ryanair Chairman
Ryanair has a record of striking deals to lock in low costs when its bargaining power is highest, most famously by placing an order for 100 new 737s at rock-bottom prices in the wake of the September 11, 2001 attacks on the United States.
That deal laid the foundation for its transformation into one of Europe’s dominant airlines.
Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said in a statement: ‘We are delighted to take delivery of our first new technology gamechanger aircraft. These new Boeing 737 aircraft will help Ryanair lower costs, cut fuel consumption and lower noise and CO2 emissions as we invest heavily in new technology to deepen our environmental commitment as Europe’s greenest, cleanest major airline.
‘Each B737 aircraft offers 197 seats, compared to our 189-seat current 737 fleet. However, our customers will enjoy more legroom, new Boeing “Sky Interiors” and lower fares, while reducing their environmental footprint by switching to these new aircraft.
‘Due to regrettable delivery delays, we expect to take delivery of just 12 of these aircraft during Summer 2021, with six delivering in Ryanair colours and six in Malta Air colours.
‘Ryanair expects to take delivery of an additional 50 of these B737 “gamechanger” aircraft before Summer 2022, which will enable the Ryanair Group to rebound strongly, offering new routes, lower fares, and rapid traffic recovery to many partner airports across Europe as the tourism industry rebuilds from the devastating impact of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020/2021.’
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