Ireland-based low-cost carrier Ryanair has finalised a firm order for 175 next-generation 737-800 aeroplanes, valued at $15.6bn at list prices, at the 50th International Paris Air Show currently being held at Le Bourget Airport.
The firm order is a part of the carrier’s efforts to increase its fleet by a third to 400 aeroplanes, which was announced as a commitment in March.
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This order marks the largest ever Boeing aircraft order from a European airline.
Ryanair president and CEO Michael O’Leary said these 175 new aircraft would enable the airline to lower costs and airfares even further.
"They provide Ryanair with the additional capacity to exploit substantial growth opportunities that now exist as many of Europe’s flag and regional airlines are restructuring and are reducing their short-haul operations," O’Leary said.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner said: "As the most efficient, reliable, large single-aisle airplane flying today, the Next-Generation 737 has been and will continue to be the cornerstone of the Ryanair fleet."
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By GlobalDataRyanair is expected to receive the new 737-800s, which can accommodate up to 189 passengers, between 2014 and 2018.
Around 75 of these new aircraft will replace some of Ryanair’s existing fleet of 305 Boeing 737s, while the remainder will enable the carrier to strengthen its low-cost airline service.
Ryanair took delivery of its first 737-800 from Boeing in 1999 and has the largest fleet of Boeing aeroplanes in Europe.
The airline operates more than 1,600 flights per day from 57 bases on 1,600 routes across 29 countries, connecting more than 180 destinations.
With this announcement, the 737 has logged more than 11,000 orders to date, with Boeing currently having upwards of 3,400 unfilled orders for the aircraft.
Image: Ryanair president and CEO Michael O’Leary (left) and Boeing Commercial Airplanes president and CEO Ray Conner at a signing ceremony. Photo: courtesy of Boeing.
