Ryanair stays with the old

Boeing and Ryanair chose the unlikely venue of New York to announce a 175 aircraft order at the same time that bitter rival easyJet was introducing the Gatwick – Moscow route with that airline’s CEO Carolyn McCall saying that no decision had been made regarding new technology planes.

It does seem she may have the last laugh with Michael O’Leary going for the cheaper current generation noisier and less fuel efficient aircraft.  O’Leary has opted for available slots on the Boeing production line either not sold or failed to be taken up by other carriers.  Ryanair would have gained a special deal on what will probably be some of the last 737-800s before the line is replaced with the 737 MAX. 

Ryanair says that it is interested in the new MAX but has gone no further with that statement.  About 75 aircraft will replace earlier planes giving a one type fleet of around 400 aircraft.  Ryanair expects to grow by about 5% per annum over the next several years, taking the carrier past the 100m passengers total by March 2019. www.ryanair.com www.boeing.com/commercial

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