Boeing 737 Delivery Delays Force Ryanair to Adjust Winter Schedule
Image credit: Boeing
Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline by passenger numbers, has been compelled to make cuts to its winter schedule due to 737 Max delivery delays from Boeing. Although the airline remains confident in its full-year traffic forecast for now, it acknowledges the potential impact if the delays persist.
Ryanair, a significant Boeing customer, originally anticipated the delivery of 27 aircraft between September and December. However, production setbacks at Boeing’s Spirit Fuselage facility in Wichita, Kansas, coupled with delays in repair and delivery at Boeing’s Seattle facility, have forced the airline to revise its expectations, with only 14 aircraft expected between October and December.
Flight cancellations will commence at the end of October, with affected passengers to be notified by email. Ryanair’s CEO, Michael O’Leary, stated that, at this stage, they don’t foresee the delays significantly affecting their full-year traffic target of 183.5 million passengers. Still, if the delays extend into January-March 2024, adjustments may be necessary.
Ryanair shares experienced a 2.8% drop following the announcement.
Boeing expressed its commitment to supporting Ryanair and its partnership, although it didn’t confirm specific delivery dates.
This isn’t the first time Ryanair has faced Boeing-related delays; the airline previously reduced its full-year passenger forecast due to potential Boeing delays and air traffic control strikes.
Ryanair had recently reconciled with Boeing, signing a multibillion-dollar deal for up to 300 Boeing jets. Despite initial improvements in deliveries, Boeing encountered a production flaw last month, impacting the delivery of its popular 737 MAX aircraft.
The schedule adjustments will affect airports in Belgium, Ireland, Italy, the UK, Portugal, and Germany. Ryanair is actively working to accelerate deliveries in the early months of 2024 to ensure readiness for the summer 2024 peak travel season.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, msn.com, cnn.com, apple.news