Accelerated Transfer of Planes
The American aviation group will provide 25 jets to the Irish budget airline ahead of the original timetable. Instead of arriving in spring next year, the 737 MAX aircraft are now scheduled for handover in October, Ryanair chief Michael O’Leary announced on Wednesday. He praised Boeing’s output, describing it as “excellent,” and said he expected U.S. regulators to approve the planes without delay.
Ongoing Troubles for Boeing
Boeing has struggled in recent years with recurring safety and production concerns. The 737 MAX model was at the center of multiple crashes tied to technical faults, damaging the company’s standing. In one case, a door section separated from the fuselage mid-flight. Authorities in the United States subsequently grounded the entire fleet and later capped output at 38 aircraft a month. Earlier this year, Boeing confirmed it was preparing to seek authorization to expand that limit.
Positive Timing for Ryanair
For Ryanair, the earlier delivery comes at a crucial moment. The airline was forced to cancel close to 700 flights after air traffic controller strikes, particularly in France. Despite these disruptions, demand has stayed strong, O’Leary said. With 70 percent of seats for September already sold, he expects to recover most of the lost revenue and reaffirmed the airline’s forecasts.
