On the back of some terrible results, Ryanair has given a little more clarity of its Boeing 737 MAX 8 200 plans.
Boeing Ryanair 737 MAX 8 200 – Image, The Boeing Company
With EASA and the UK Civil Aviation Authority recertifying the Boing 737 MAX 8 last week in Europe, the airline is hoping that is variant – the Boeing 737 MAX 8 200 will be certified as well. Subject to successful certification, the Ryanair Group is aiming to take delivery of up to 24 new aircraft before peak Summer 2021, and deploy them on its network.
This order will deliver over 4 years between Spring 2021 and December 2024.
Ryanair believes this aircraft is a “Gamechanger ” for its customers and Europe’s consumers, arguing that when delivered – the aircraft will be the most audited, most regulated in aviation history. Combined with its environmental performance, passenger load and range, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 200 is the perfect sized platform to allow Ryanair expand and grow its low fare services across Europe over the next decade while widening Ryanair’s unit cost leadership.
The airline ordered an addition 75 Boeing 737-8200 aircraft from Boeing in December, bringing its outstanding orders to 210 aircraft.
This variant of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 will be capable of carrying up to 197 passengers aboard – so don’t expect to get too comfortable on them.
It’s been a rough quarter.
The Q3 results are in, and it makes some rather nasty reading. The airline reports a drop of 78% of customers (compared to this time last year), with a 26% drop in load factor and an 82% drop in revenue.
It’s not going to get easier, with lockdowns and pre-flight testing impacting on passenger flows. Ryanair expects the latest lockdowns and pre-arrival Covid test requirement to materially reduce flight schedules and traffic through to Easter.
The airline is returning g 14 older Boeing 737 aircraft to lessors as leases mature and Ryanair has recently concluded the delivery of 7 older Boeing 737-800 for cargo conversion.
In terms of bases, the group 2 aircraft to be based in Paris Beauvais, added a fourth aircraft to its Naples base for Summer 21, announced a 4 aircraft base in Venice Treviso and increased its route network/frequencies to Venice Marco Polo, Verona and Bari. The Group also confirmed the reopening of its Shannon (Ireland) base for Summer 21.
The group has also secured extra slots at London Stansted, with them securing 7 based aircraft slot portfolio in Stansted from easyJet.
Pinning hopes on Summer
With the rollout of vaccination programmes across Europe, the airline is still dealing with Covid lockdowns and travel restrictions across the EU & UK – reducing annual passenger traffic from 35 million passengers, down to 26-30 million
The airline is hoping with its lower cost base and strong balance fleet, it can offer fares and add lower-cost aircraft to capitalise on the many growth opportunities that will be available in all markets across Europe, especially where competitor airlines have substantially cut capacity or failed.
With the pent-up demand waiting to get into the sun or escape to another city, the airline stands ready to take advantage of this.
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