Ryanair’s ambitions with a mega-order for 100 … – Les Echos

Ryanair's ambitions with a mega-order for 100 … – Les Echos

The Irish company has ordered 100 copies of the new version of the densified Max 737

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At first glance, the announcement by Ryanair of a new order for 100 Boeing 737, accompanied by much options, not surprising. The first European low cost airline has never ordered anything other than 737s Yet this one, worth $ 11 billion at list prices, is important in more ways than one

First of all, the 100 Boeing 737 in addition to 175 Boeing 737-800 aircraft ordered in July, which were already allow Ryanair to increase its fleet of 300-420 aircraft (in removing old) aircraft and surpass the 100 million passengers in late 2018 The Irish company therefore plans beyond its strategic objective and gives a first indication of his ambitions in the longer term. These hundred additional aircraft will be delivered between 2019 and 2023, allow it to reach a fleet of 520 aircraft at the beginning of the next decade and 150 million passengers. What remain the first intra-European company.

This contract is also the first command in the 200 Max, the latest model of the 737 family, including Ryanair will be the launch airline. This new model, which will enter service in 2019, will be a denser version of the Boeing 737 Max, the new modernized version of the 737 equipped with CFM engines, 16% more fuel efficient.

Supplement seats

Like with its Airbus A320, Boeing benefits from advances in cabin design to increase the number of seats on its future compared to conventional 737 Max, the Max 200 will have 197 seats instead of 180 The Boeing could have up to 200 seats, but Ryanair has preferred to remain below this threshold in order to avoid having to add a cabin (PNC) in additional equipment. EU law requires indeed a PNC for 50 passengers.

So far, the low cost carrier had declined to order the 737 Max, preferring the classic 737-800, more greedy, but cheaper to buy than Max. But with that extra seats, Ryanair expects $ 1 million of additional revenue per device. What apparently convinced his boss, Michael O’Leary, get out the checkbook.

In addition, Ryanair had no choice. His great rival, easyJet, has ordered him A320NEO offering a reduction in consumption of 15%. The Irish company might therefore end up with a very penalizing cost differential.

Bruno Trévidic