Ryanair Hurting From Boeing Delivery Delays

Ryanair, one of Boeing’s most important customers, has been incredibly vocal about its displeasure with the manufacturer’s current state of recent years.

The major budget airline has been considerably affected by the inability to take delivery of aircraft on time, specifically the 737 MAX family, and by certification issues.

However, its Chief Executive has stated that millions will be lost on ticket sales alone as the airline battles delayed aircraft deliveries. These fewer deliveries impact the fleet and then the airline’s ability to grow into desired markets.

That very ability to grow has also been highlighted with O’Leary stating that Ryanair expects five million fewer passengers to board aircraft this year alone, highlighting the negative ramifications it’s facing.

Ryanair is by no means a small airline. Hundreds upon hundreds of Boeing 737s are airborne across a network pivotal to low-cost transportation across Europe.

As part of renewal efforts, Ryanair has committed to the 737 MAX, a like-for-like replacement, and has done so with hundreds of aircraft to not just replace but enable future growth.

Unfortunately, Ryanair has just so happened to commit to an aircraft that has gone through an incredibly trying last half-decade, and now Boeing’s internal culture issues are hurting attempts to increase output even more.

For example, its deliveries slated across summer have been reduced to quite considerable levels; in August, ten aircraft were to be delivered, but five units are expected to be more realistic.

Revenues are also expected to be slashed by some USD 500 million this year because Ryanair is unable to take delivery of planes on time. Figures such as these, paired with a reduction in passengers carried, really highlight the effect being felt on Ryanair.

Ultimately, Ryanair is hardly the only airline facing something similar to other airlines facing delivery delays from Boeing. On the other side, Airbus customers have also been impacted by delays; however, arguably, their stance hasn’t been as negative, likely to do with the state of Boeing’s image.

Ryanair is at least happy to receive compensation for Boeing’s impact. However, as stated numerous times, compensation is nothing compared to having the aircraft required to operate the business as intended.

The budget carrier hopes that as time progresses, it will stabilise, and Boeing will eventually be able to get deliveries back on track.