With Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) completing certification flights of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft on July 2, 2020, Ryanair is hopeful to welcome the latest version of the narrow-body into its fleet in November 2020.
“Subject to the MAX being certified to return to service in North America, we would hope to be getting our first deliveries in November. This side of Christmas,” the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ryanair Group told Reuters.
If the manufacturer stays on track, O’Leary anticipates that the Ireland-based low-cost carrier would have between 30 and 40 of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in its fleet for the Summer 2021 season. The deliveries of the 737 MAX, according to the Irish businessman, would enable Ryanair to restart its growth.
Starting July 1, 2020, the airline restored 40% of its flight schedule, with almost 1,000 daily flights scheduled to take-off. In June 2020, the airline group carried 400,000 passengers or 97% fewer travelers than last year’s result.
O’Leary already reiterated its belief in the aircraft in May 2020, as the outlandish executive stated that the 737 MAX would be key in taking market share in Europe. “It is a great aircraft, we’re believers in it, we think it will transform Ryanair’s cost base in the next 10 years.”
In total, Ryanair has 210 aircraft on order, with 135 firm orders and 75 options. Its previous update anticipated that the aircraft would be certified in September, while the first delivery to the low-cost carrier would occur in October 2020.