Ryanair CEO doesn’t expect first 737 MAX delivery until October
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
Ryanair’s CEO Michael O’Leary is preparing to not get the first of the airline’s Boeing 737 MAX aircraft until October 2020 — months later than originally planned.
In an interview with German magazine Wirtschaftswoche published on January 3, the airline executive said that unlike the low-cost carrier had originally planned, it may not get any of the beleaguered aircraft until after its busy summer season.
“We were meant to have 58 planes by the summer,” O’Leary said in his interview with Wirtschaftswoche. “That went down to 30, then 20, then 10 and the latest is maybe only five. It’s possible we’ll only get the first jets in October 2020.”
While deliveries of the aircraft to Ryanair were meant to begin in April 2020, they have since been delayed following the grounding of the aircraft worldwide. Since March 2019, the aircraft has been grounded after two fatal crashes in five months left 346 dead. A fix to the automated flight control software that is said to have contributed to both crashes has taken longer than initially thought.
Even if the airline is able to take delivery of any of the 135 737 MAX aircraft it has on order before October 2020, it likely wouldn’t do that. According to Reuters, O’Leary has previously said that Ryanair wouldn’t take delivery of any of the aircraft in July or August, as it’s the airline’s busiest time of the year and the likelihood for disruption is high.
In December, Ryanair announced that it was forced to close two bases in Europe — Nuremberg, Germany and Stockholm Skavsta, Sweden — as the result of MAX delivery delays.
Several U.S. carriers — including Southwest, American and United — have been forced to delay the return of the grounded MAXs to their fleets. Last month, United announced that it was grounding its MAX flights until June — the longest of any U.S. carrier for keeping the aircraft out of service.
In December, Boeing announced that it would temporarily suspend its 737 MAX production line beginning in January.
Featured photo by Nicolas Economou/Getty Images.
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 in purchases within the first three months of card membership. Plus, earn a $200 statement credit after your first Delta purchase within the first three months. Offer ends 7/28/21.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles after spending $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months and a $200 statement credit after you make a Delta purchase with your new Card within your first 3 months. Offer expires 7/28/2021.
- Limited Time Offer: Plus, get a 0% intro APR on purchases for 12 months from the date of account opening, then a variable 15.74%-24.74%. Offer expires 7/28/2021.
- Accelerate your path to Medallion Status, with Status Boost®. Plus, in 2021 you can earn even more bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) to help you reach Medallion Status.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.