Ryanair announced it’s full years results today. Buried in that guidance was the plans for its upcoming Boeing 737 MAX fleet.
Ryanair Boeing 737 MAX 8 200 – Image, The Boeing Company
As we all know the Boeing 737 MAX remains grounded worldwide, pending re-certification by aviation authorities after the two crashes of the type. This has had a major impact in the industry, as airlines plan to operate or deploy the type have been thrown into chaos.
The Boeing 737 MAX 8 200 was due to be based at Stansted Airport, and be deployed in the Summer 2019 season – as it stands, this deadline is due to pass.
As such, delivery of the first five new aircraft to Ryanair has been delayed to Winter 2019 (subject to regulatory approval by EASA).
In the release, Ryanair state:
We continue to have utmost confidence in these aircraft which have 4% more seats, are 16% more fuel efficient and generate 40% lower noise emissions. They are hedged at an average €/$ rate of 1.24 out to FY24, and will deliver significant unit cost savings for the next 5 years, although the delayed deliveries in 2019 means that we will not see any meaningful cost benefit until FY21.
Traditional Boeing 737-800s remain for now
With delivery and entry into service delayed, there’s going to be impacted with how Ryanair deploys the fleet. With 42 more aircraft to join after the first five, there is plenty of scope for these planes to fly.
For now, that means utilising existing Boeing 737-800s as needed.
As to the advertising campaign to convince the members of the public to fly a Boeing 737 MAX when they finally are cleared to enter service. … that could be the bigger issue in the short to medium term.
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