Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary has told Boeing to get its “s**t together” after the planemaker announced that it had reduced the number of aircraft it expects to deliver this year.
In its third quarter financial results released on October 25, 2023, Boeing said it now expects to deliver 375-400 737 aircraft rather than the previous forecast of 400 to 450 narrowbody planes.
“Boeing needs to get its act together and start delivering these aircraft on time. I had a lot of sympathy for Boeing. The Max was grounded for two years but that was two years ago. It’s time for them to get their s**t together and start delivering these aircraft,” O’Leary told The Telegraph.
In September 2023, Ryanair blamed Boeing delivery delays of the 737 MAX aircraft for cuts to its autumn and winter schedule.
The airline said at the time it was reducing operations due to Boeing’s failure to supply 27 aircraft expected between September and December 2023.
In response to the delays Ryanair said it expected to receive only 14 aircraft between October and December 2023.
“We are in regular dialogue with Boeing, and our primary objective is to ensure we get delivery of all 57 contracted B737 aircraft before the end of May 2024,” O’Leary said in September 2023.
Ryanair confirmed on May 9, 2023, that the airline has ordered 150 new Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft for delivery between 2027 to 2033 with options for 150 more.
According to ch-aviation.com the carrier is awaiting delivery of 84 737 MAX 8200s.
“We’re working with Boeing to try and accelerate those deliveries. But the big issue for us is that we’re meant to get 57 aircraft by the end of April. We’re hoping to get them by the end of June but if they slip into July or August then it will be too late, so we won’t take them,” O’Leary told The Telegraph in his latest statement.