Malta Air takes first B737-8-200

Malta Air (AL, Malta Int’l) took delivery of its first B737-8-200 on July 14, 2021, debuting an individual branding that distinguishes it from that of its sister carrier Ryanair (FR, Dublin Int’l). 9H-VUE (msn 65876) was ferried directly from Seattle Boeing Field to Dublin Int’l, where it is awaiting service entry, currently scheduled for July 20, 2021.

The carrier already operates 120 B737-800s on behalf of Ryanair all of which feature its livery. As such, the MAX 8 marks not just operational but also a branding change for the Maltese operator.

The ch-aviation fleets advanced module indicates that five more B737-8-200s are ready for delivery Ryanair Holdings’s Maltese carrier. The group previously confirmed that due to certification delays, it would induct just 12 units of the type during the Summer 2021 season, split evenly between Ryanair and Malta Air. The Irish unit took delivery of its first B737-8-200 on June 16 and began the type’s commercial operations on June 26. It has already inducted all six of its units of the type planned for this summer season.

In total, Ryanair Holdings has firm orders for 210 B737-8-200s. On top of the first 12 units delivered this summer, the group is expecting a further 50 by the beginning of the Summer 2022 season. The added jets will also deliver to the group’s Polish unit Buzz (where they will also be the first aircraft in that carrier’s dedicated branding) and to Ryanair UK. The only group unit not currently scheduled to take the B737 MAX is Lauda Europe, which operates A320-200s.

Ryanair is one of only two customers for the B737-8-200 variant, a high-density modification of the B737-8, with the other one being VietJetAir.