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AIRLINE RYANAIR HAS said it will be making cuts to its winter 2019 and summer 2020 schedules through base cuts and closures, over delays in the delivery of new Boeing aircraft.
In a statement this morning, CEO Michael O’Leary said the airline was now in the process of identifying which “underperforming or loss-making bases should suffer these short-term cuts and/or closures from November 2019″.
Ryanair remains committed the new Boeing 737 MAX jet fleet, but said the exact date when it can return to service remains “uncertain”.
All Boeing 737 MAX planes were grounded by aviation authorities after two fatal crashes involving the 737 MAX 8 edition of the aircraft – one with Indonesian Lion Air and another with Ethiopian Airlines.
Ryanair hopes to take delivery of its first MAX 800 planes by January or February 2020.
O’Leary said: “Boeing is hoping that a certification package will be submitted to regulators by September with a return to service shortly thereafter. We believe it would be prudent to plan for that date to slip by some months, possibly as late as December.”
It had been originally planned to deliver 58 of these aircraft in time for the summer 2020 schedule, but the maximum that is now expected is 30, Ryanair said.
“For planning purposes, Ryanair will now revise its summer 2020 schedule based on 30 incremental aircraft, rather than 58,” O’Leary said. “This will cut Ryanair’s summer 2020 growth rate from 7% to 3%, and means full year traffic growth for the year to March 2021 will be cut from 162 million guests to approximately 157 million.”
He added the airline would be in contact with staff and unions about implementing the closure of bases, and added it had all been directly caused by the Boeing issues.
It hopes to return to full services in summer 2021.
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I don’t know about others but I would be reluctant to book a flight on this 737 MAX or whatever they inevitably rebrand it to be.
@Alan Dooley: Its rebranding to 737 – 8200.
@Alan Dooley: I would disagree. With so much scrutiny of this particular design and the negative publicity surrounding it the regulators and Boeing cant take any chances. Once re-certified this air frame will the most scrutinised, and safe,design in the history of commercial aviation
@Alan Dooley: I wouldnt fly on one, that’s something many would probably scoff at but the fact that a number of airlines have cancelled their orders of the MAX would make me think twice.
@Alan Dooley: When this aircraft is again authorised to fly – by numerous international/aviation bodies – it’ll be the safest there is. Probably at the cost of performance capabilities – and massive monetary outlay by Boeing.
@Vocal Outrage: The design of this plane has gone wrong when they tried to fit the new engines. I will not fly on them
@Alonzo Margate: Was it not already authorized to fly with issues that were unidentified. No reason to think they will spot other potential issues
@Alonzo Margate: the max 8 was authorized to fly by numerous international aviation bodies. Didn’t do much good for that.
@Joe Travers: New aircraft (like cars, computers, domestic appliances etc.) are often withdrawn, after being launched. For decades (close to 100 years?), Boeing have built up an unrivalled reputation for performance and safety. I shall be using the Max.
@Alonzo Margate: “Boeing have built up an unrivalled reputation for performance and safety. I shall be using the Max.”….they knowingly put an aircraft in the air that was highly unstable, yes you are on the ball there my friend.
@Peter Hughes: Knowingly? I doubt it, as their executives might be incarcerated by now – instead of being allowed to fix the fault!
@Peter Hughes: And did the aviation authorities and regulators ‘knowingly’ certify a dangerous and unfit aircraft!?
@Alan Dooley: won’t be flying on one
@Peter Hughes: Boeing isn’t the only organisation culpable for the two crashes. The Federal Aviation Administration carried out exhaustive studies and in-flight tests, before certifying the Max. Maybe we should boycott all American planes?
@Alonzo Margate: wasn’t it self certified by Boeing?
@Alonzo Margate: The FAA didn’t carry out any tests on the Max 8, they allowed Boeing to self certify….
@Mia Ryan: Thank you. I stand corrected.
@Alonzo Margate: missing you already
@Alonzo Margate: the aviation authorities allowed Boeing to self-certify due to resource problems.
Michael O’Leary it could become your biggest mistake in Ryanair history to underestimate the fear of me and my fellow regular passengers when we hear 737 MAX. As far as I am concerned any airline which operates this plane will be off limits for myself.
Do all of us a favour and buy A319.
@Johannes Baader: Please don’t type for ‘we’ – just yourself. After all the recertification procedures, this aircraft will be one of the safest. To switch from Boeing would be extremely expensive.
@Johannes Baader: do you do drama queen much?
@Johannes Baader: 6 months after it’s back in service you’ll be back to old habits of buying the cheapest flight that Skyscanner throws up.
@Alonzo Margate: Micheal is that you?
@Johannes Baader: A319s never crashed then? Are you sure?
@Johannes Baader: not sure I’d go so far as to ask them to choose airbus over Boeing but the 737 Max was hastily conceived and shoe-horned into the category. No matter what they call it, I won’t fly on one. Let them design a new aircraft (I’m sure plans are already well advanced) but this plane and carriers using it will be avoided by me.
Ryanair are right to seriously curtail every route that’s a loss maker, particularly in winter. It is just good business.
Well my guess is I will be going for Aer Lingus then, AIR MAX – NO THANX!
Since when did passenger numbers become ‘guest’ numbers?
@iohanx: since we became “welcome”
I’ll stick with Airbus thanks.
Ryanair cutting services: great news
have your say