Delivery Timeline Accelerated
The U.S. aircraft manufacturer will supply 25 planes to the Irish budget carrier earlier than originally planned. Instead of next spring, the 737 MAX jets are now scheduled to be delivered in October, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said on Wednesday. He praised the build quality of the planes as “exceptional” and expressed confidence that U.S. regulators would approve them quickly.
Continued Challenges for Boeing
Boeing has long faced scrutiny over safety and production issues. The 737 MAX was involved in multiple crashes caused by technical malfunctions, including one incident where a cabin door detached mid-flight. In response, U.S. authorities grounded the aircraft and later limited production to 38 units per month. Earlier this year, Boeing indicated plans to seek approval to expand output.
Timely Advantage for Ryanair
The accelerated deliveries come at an important moment for Ryanair. The airline recently had to cancel around 700 flights due to air traffic control strikes, particularly in France. Despite these disruptions, demand remains strong, O’Leary said. With 70 percent of September seats already sold, he expects to recover most of the lost revenue and reaffirmed the airline’s outlook for the year.
