Ryanair in order talks for 400 jets with Boeing and Airbus

Source : FT

"Ryanair, Europe's biggest low-cost airline, is in early talks with Boeing and Airbus about an order for 300-400 short-haul jets, one of the biggest purchases of new aircraft.

Michael Cawley, deputy chief executive and chief operating officer for Ryanair, said he expected the group to place the order within 24 months to take advantage of the weakening commercial aerospace market.

The Irish carrier is seeking to repeat its coup of six years ago, when it ordered 100 aircraft and another 50 options in January 2002, close to the bottom of the last aviation recession.

It was the biggest order Boeing had received for its 737 jets. Ryan-air secured one of the largest discounts agreed by the US aircraft maker, which was desperate for orders.

Both Boeing and Airbus have said they expect orders to plunge this year to about a quarter of the peak combined industry level of more than 2,800 orders in 2007.

Ryanair has a single type fleet of 181 Boeing 737-800s. That is due to rise to 292 by March 2012 based on existing firm orders. It recently exercised options for 13 more jets for delivery in 2011 and has 10 options remaining." Next