Price-conscious Ryanair ends Boeing MAX 10 order talks

Ryanair has ended talks with Boeing over a potential new order of Boeing 787 MAX 10 aircraft, after failing to agree on price. 

The low-cost carrier has already ordered 210 of the 737-8200 variant and was discussing a “large” follow-on order for the largest version of the jet, it said in a statement on September 6, 2021. 

“We are disappointed we couldn’t reach agreement with Boeing on a MAX10 order,” Ryanair group chief executive Michael O’Leary said in a statement. “However, Boeing have a more optimistic outlook on aircraft pricing than we do, and we have a disciplined track record of not paying high prices for aircraft.”

Ryanair’s current order for MAX aircraft will see its fleet grow to over 600 aircraft over the next five years. 

This will allow it to capitalize on what it deemed the “extraordinary growth opportunities that are emerging all over Europe as the Continent recovers from the Covid pandemic.”

O’Leary also made a swipe at Boeing over recent order wins for rival manufacturer Airbus.

“We do not share Boeing’s optimistic pricing outlook, although this may explain why in recent weeks other large Boeing customers such as Delta and Jet2, have been placing new orders with Airbus, rather than Boeing,” O’Leary commented.