Aircraft Delivery Brought Forward
The U.S. manufacturer will hand over 25 planes to the Irish low-cost airline earlier than planned. Originally expected next spring, the 737 MAX aircraft will now be delivered in October, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said on Wednesday. He highlighted the strong quality of Boeing’s work and expressed confidence that American regulators would clear the aircraft swiftly.
Setbacks for the Plane Maker
Boeing has been under prolonged scrutiny due to recurring safety lapses and production flaws. The 737 MAX was involved in several deadly accidents linked to system defects, and in one incident a cabin door panel gave way during flight. U.S. authorities responded by grounding the fleet for months and later limiting production to 38 units per month. Earlier this year, Boeing indicated plans to request approval to increase output.
Timely Boost for Ryanair
The rescheduled deliveries come at an opportune moment for Ryanair. The airline recently canceled about 700 flights following disruptions from air traffic control strikes, most notably in France. Even so, passenger demand has held up well, O’Leary noted. With 70 percent of September’s seats already sold, he expects to offset most of the shortfall and maintained the airline’s guidance for the year.
