Ryanair and CFM Reach Agreement on LEAP 1-B to Power 150 737 MAX Aircraft Order

Ryanair and CFM International, a joint venture between General Electric (GE) Aviation and Safran Aircraft Engines, signed a deal for engines to power the Irish low-cost carrier’s recent order of 150 Boeing 737 MAX-10 aircraft.

Ryanair and CFM International signed a Letter of Agreement (LoA) to purchase enough LEAP 1-B engines to power 150 Boeing 737 MAX-10 aircraft ordered on May 9, 2023. According to CFM International’s announcement, the LoA also includes spare engines and options for 150 additional aircraft and respective engines.

“We are honored by Ryanair’s renewed trust in our products and in our teams. We look forward to continuing to support Ryanair’s fleet development by providing them with the best standards in terms of reliability, sustainability and maintenance,” said Gaël Méheust, the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CFM International.

The LEAP 1-B engine is the only power plant option for the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft family, including the 737 MAX-7, MAX-8, MAX-9, and MAX-10. CFM International also builds the LEAP 1-A and LEAP 1-AC that power the Airbus A320neo aircraft family and China’s COMAC C919.

Ryanair announced the order for 300 Boeing 737 MAX-10 aircraft, including 150 firm and 150 options, on May 9, 2023. The deal, valued at $40 billion at list prices, will see the airline receive the aircraft between 2023 and 2027, marking the largest aircraft order in Ryanair history.

As of April 30, 2023, Boeing has delivered 102 aircraft of the type to Ryanair and has 108 orders that are yet to be fulfilled, excluding the 300-strong aircraft order. Ryanair currently operates 103 Boeing 737 MAX-8200 aircraft, according to ch-aviation.com data.

The order will help the low-cost carrier secure aircraft for its future growth and renew its fleet, with Ryanair aiming to carry 225 million annual passengers by FY2026.