Boeing and Ryanair have finalized an order for 175 Next-Generation 737-800 airplanes that is the largest aircraft order ever from a European airline, according to a press release from Boeing.
Michael O'Leary, the president of Ryanair, joined Ray Connor, the president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, at a signing ceremony to finalize the historic deal. O'Leary flew into the air show on one of Ryanair's 303 737-800s, which was decorated with a special livery to celebrate the agreement with Boeing.
"Ryanair is proud to buy Boeing, who make great aircraft, and the 737-800 has been the foundation of Ryanair's recent successful growth due to its great engineering and phenomenal reliability," O'Leary said. "These 175 new airplanes will enable us to lower costs and airfares even further.
"They provide us with the additional capacity to exploit substantial growth opportunities that now exist as many of Europe's flag and regional airlines are restructuring and are reducing their short-haul operations," O'Leary continued.
The planes provide operators with the flexibility to serve a wide range of markets.
"We are delighted to finalize this order," Conner said. "It is a testament to the value the Next-Generation 737 family brings to Ryanair.
"As the most efficient, reliable, large single-aisle airplane flying today, the Next-Generation 737 has been and will continue to be the cornerstone of the Ryanair fleet," Connor continued. "I could not be more proud to see the partnership between Ryanair and the Boeing Company extended for the years to come."
Ryanair had its first delivery of 737-800s from Boeing in 1999, and has the largest fleet of Boeing airplanes in Europe, operating over 1,600 flights per day from 57 bases on 1,600 routes across 29 countries, which connect over 180 destinations. With the new purchase, the number of 737s operated by Ryanair is more than 11,000, with 3,400 unfilled orders for 737s.
The Boeing 737-800 is the best-selling version of the successful Next Generation 737 family. The order is valued at $15.6 billion at list prices.
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