Plans To Acquire 175 New Airplanes For Fleet Expansion

Ryanair has placed the largest order ever for a European airline with Boeing, agreeing to purchase 175 new Boeing 737-800 aircraft of just under $8 billion.

The Associated Press reports that the announcement was made in conjunction with a visit Tuesday by Irish Prime Minister Edna Kenny to Washington, D.C. Kenny plans to travel to the Puget Sound region later this week.

Ryanair is Boeing's biggest European customer for the 737-800, with an existing fleet of 305 of the airplanes.

Boeing said in a statement that it is "delighted" that Ryanair has announced a commitment today to order 175 Next-Generation 737-800s for the airline's fleet expansion. When finalized, the agreement will be worth $15.6 billion at list prices and will be posted to the Boeing Orders & Deliveries website as a firm order.
 
"This agreement is an amazing testament to the value that the Next-Generation 737 brings to Ryanair," said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President & CEO Ray Conner. "We are pleased that the Next-Generation 737, as the most efficient, most reliable large single-aisle airplane flying today, has been and will continue to be the cornerstone of the Ryanair fleet. Our partnership with this great European low-cost carrier is of the utmost importance to everyone at The Boeing Company and I could not be more proud to see it extended for years to come."

(Image provided by Boeing)

FMI: www.boeing.com