Ryanair orders 100 new Boeing 737-800s to a value of $6 billion as traffic growth rises to 35%
Ryanair, Europe’s No.1 low fares airline and Boeing, the world’s biggest manufacturer of commercial aircraft, today announced that Ryanair have ordered an additional 100 new Boeing 737-800 series aircraft to facilitate Ryanair’s rapid European growth plans.
The news comes less than a year after both Ryanair and Boeing announced the record aircraft order of 150 737-800’s – the largest single firm order for Next Generation 737’s ever made.
In addition to the 103 firm orders already placed, Ryanair have added 22 further firm orders and increased its option orders by 78 to 125. This will, over the next 8 years, give Ryanair a total fleet of 250 Boeing 737-800’s, giving Ryanair the youngest aircraft fleet in Europe and the second largest operator of the most successful jetliner in the world, behind Southwest in the U.S.
Ryanair was the pioneer of low fare air travel in Europe, and is the No.1 low fares carrier with over 100 destinations across 15 countries. In the year ending March 03, Ryanair will carry over 15million passengers, an increase of 35% on the pervious year, making Ryanair the 4th largest international scheduled airline in Europe. Ryanair currently operates a fleet of 50 Boeing 737’s and this new order will enable Ryanair to grow to more than 50Million passengers per annum, which will make Ryanair Europe’s No.1 international scheduled airline.
These new aircraft will create 3000 new jobs in Ryanair, with over 800 pilots, more than 2000 cabin crew and over 200 engineering and operational people.
Announcing details of this order today in London, Ryanair’s Chief Executive, Michael O’Leary said:
“Ryanair and Boeing started this European low fares air travel revolution in 1990 – but that was just the beginning. Today the Ryanair low fares revolution continues as millions of European consumers are now discovering that they can fly all over Europe for just €48.00, and with Ryanair they get the best on time services and brand new Boeing 737-800 aircraft – the best short haul jet aircraft in the world.
To celebrate today’s announcement of 100 new aircraft, Ryanair are giving away 100,000 seats at just £1 !.