Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said in an interview with Reuters that he is encouraged by Boeing’s progress in stabilizing production and is confident the U.S. manufacturer will soon increase the monthly output of 737 aircraft from 38 to 42 units. He added that the quality of newly delivered aircraft is “excellent” and that Ryanair is impressed with what Boeing is currently producing.
The Irish low-cost carrier, Europe’s largest by passenger numbers, has had to revise its growth plans repeatedly due to delivery delays, and O’Leary noted that he personally spoke with Boeing Commercial Airplanes chief Stephanie Pope. Ryanair has ordered 150 units of the larger 737 MAX 10, whose certification is expected early next year, though the airline’s chief admitted he is not fully confident about the timeline.
“I’m optimistic, but not entirely convinced we’ll receive the aircraft on time. If the MAX 10 doesn’t arrive by the summer of 2027, the company’s growth that year could stagnate,” O’Leary told Reuters.
To boost capacity for the upcoming holiday season, Ryanair agreed with Boeing on the earlier delivery of 25 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Instead of early 2026, they will join the fleet in October this year. “From mid-December to early January, we’ll be putting on extra flights to meet strong holiday demand,” O’Leary emphasized.
He also said that accelerated deliveries help reduce the risk of potential EU tariffs on U.S.-built aircraft. However, he does not expect any significant impact at least until the U.S. congressional elections at the end of 2026.
As for summer operations, O’Leary said demand remains strong and that the airline’s financial outlook is unchanged compared with mid-August. Although around 700 flights had to be canceled in July due to strikes, mostly in France, Ryanair has seen average ticket prices rise by 5 to 6 percent. This could offset most of last year’s 7 percent decline in the third quarter.
According to O’Leary, the final outcome will ultimately depend on last-minute demand in September.
