Ryanair has this week announced that it will be making cuts to its winter schedules due to delays in delivery of its Boeing 737 MAX family aircraft.
It is understood that the Irish low-cost carrier was due to receive 27 aircraft between September and December, but instead, this will be 14 units.
Without further ado, let’s get into it…
Ryanair Cuts Winter Schedule Amid Boeing 737 MAX Delays…
Commenting on the delivery delays resulting in the winter schedule being reduced was Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary:
“We are working closely with Boeing and their supplier, Spirit, to minimise these delivery delays. It is deeply regrettable that production problems in Wichita, and in Seattle, have yet again delayed Boeing’s contracted deliveries to Ryanair this winter.”
“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, so that Ryanair’s fleet can grow to over 600 aircraft for what will be our largest ever summer flight programme.”
“These flight cancellations will take effect from the end of Oct, and will be communicated to all affected passengers by email over the coming days.”
“Passengers will be offered reaccommodation on alternative flights or full refunds as they so wish. We apologise sincerely to passengers for any inconvenience caused by these delivery delays this winter.”
“At this early date, we do not expect these delivery delays will materially affect our full year traffic target of 183.5m, but if the delays worsen or extend further into the Jan to Mar 2024 period, we may have to revisit this figure and possibly adjust it slightly downward.”
The reductions are expected to be as follows:
- Aircraft based in Charleroi will be reduced by 3.
- Aircraft based in Dublin will be reduced by 2.
- Aircraft based across Bergamo, Naples, Pisa & another Italian base will be reduced by 4.
- Ryanair noted that due to the 737 MAX delivery delays, there will be reductions in East Midlands, Porto & Cologne, but no numbers listed currently.
Looking ahead, all eyes will be on Boeing to see whether they can get a grip on current delays and continue delivering jets to a major customer like Ryanair.
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