Ryanair has ordered 300 new Boeing 737-MAX-10 aircraft in a “landmark deal” valued at $40 billion. According to the low-cost airline company – which operates regular international flights to and from Corvera Airport Murcia – the purchase agreement comprises 150 firm orders and 150 options to buy the 737-10 model.
When finalised (with shareholder approval at Ryanair’s 14 September AGM), and subject to all options being exercised, it will be “the largest order ever placed by an Irish company for U.S.-manufactured goods”.
In a news release announcing the deal, Boeing said, “Ryanair has deployed a growing fleet of 737-8-200 aeroplanes to accelerate its post-pandemic recovery and meet strong travel demand. The 197-seat 737-8-200 model has helped the airline reduce fuel use and emissions by over 20 per cent compared to the aeroplanes they are replacing. The new order adds the larger 737-10 variant, which offers Ryanair 228 seats and the best unit economics of any single-aisle aeroplane.”
According to Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary, “These new, fuel-efficient, greener technology aircraft offer 21 per cent more seats, burn 20 per cent less fuel and are 50 per cent quieter than our B737-NGs. This order, coupled with our remaining Gamechanger deliveries, will create 10,000 new jobs for highly paid aviation professionals over the next decade, and these jobs will be located across all of Europe’s main economies where Ryanair is currently the number one or number two airline.
“In addition to delivering significant revenue and traffic growth across Europe, we expect these new, larger, more efficient, greener aircraft to drive further unit cost savings, which will be passed on to passengers in lower air fares. The extra seats, lower fuel burn and more competitive aircraft pricing supported by our strong balance sheet will widen the cost gap between Ryanair and competitor EU airlines for many years to come, making the Boeing MAX-10 the ideal growth aircraft order for Ryanair, our passengers, our people and our shareholders.”
Added Boeing president and CEO Dave Calhoun, “The Boeing-Ryanair partnership is one of the most productive in commercial aviation history, enabling both companies to succeed and expand affordable travel to hundreds of millions of people. Nearly a quarter century after our companies signed our first direct aeroplane purchase, this landmark deal will further strengthen our partnership. We are committed to delivering for Ryanair and helping Europe’s largest airline group achieve its goals by offering its customers the lowest fares in Europe.”
Sustainable Fuel Agreement Between Ryanair and Repsol
Sustainable Fuel Agreement Between Ryanair and RepsolEarlier this month, Ryanair and Repsol signed a Memo of Understanding (MOU) to advance the supply of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF).
“SAF plays a key role in Ryanair’s Pathway to Net Zero strategy and our goal of using 12.5 per cent SAF by 2030,” said Ryanair DAC CEO Eddie Wilson, speaking at Repsol’s headquarters in Madrid. “Achieving this requires multiple different feedstocks and production methods and we’re encouraged that Repsol are looking at multiple solutions. This agreement helps Ryanair secure access to circa 15 per cent of this ambitious goal. Repsol is a key sustainability partner for Ryanair, and we look forward to building on this collaboration as our group grows to carry 225 million passengers annually by FY26.”
According to Ryanair, while SAF is a key enabler of aviation decarbonisation, it only accounts for a small fraction of the current jet fuel usage worldwide. “This agreement with Repsol gives Ryanair access to up to 155,000 tonnes (52 million gallons) of SAF between 2025 and 2030 (equivalent to over 28,000 flights from Dublin to Madrid), saving approximately 490,000 tonnes in CO2 emissions.”
Valero Marin, Repsol’s executive managing director of client, said the agreement reinforced the global energy group’s commitment to the aviation sector and was another step in the company’s commitment to renewable fuels. “The aviation sector needs solutions such as SAF fuels to support the decarbonisation process it is currently undergoing. This also consolidates our position as a multi-energy company with the objective of achieving zero net emissions by 2050.”
