Ryanair, earlier this week was pleased to meet Minister for for Arts, Culture, Media, Communications and Sport Patrick O’Donovan at the Boeing facility in Seattle where he witnessed first-hand a brand-new Ryanair aircraft coming off the assembly line. As a result of Ryanair’s over $40bn investment in Boeing aircraft, Ireland is Boeing’s biggest customer in Europe, supporting over 30,000 USA jobs. This shows the importance and value of transatlantic trade between Ireland and the USA.
A Ryanair spokesperson said “We were delighted to see Minister O’Donovan visit Boeing’s Seattle facility earlier this week as part of his trip to the USA. It was great timing too, as he got to see our 587th 737 aircraft come off the assembly line first-hand. Ryanair is the biggest investor in Boeing aircraft this side of the Atlantic, making continued competitive trade relations between Ireland and the USA fundamental in supporting over 30,000 USA jobs.”
The Ryanair Group partnership with Boeing goes back 31 years to 1994 when €30 million was invested and subsequently the carrier was relaunched with new management as Europe’s first Low cost carrier (LCC), adopting elements of strategy of Southwest Airlines including a single aircraft type the Boeing 737-200 advanced in 130 economy class seat layout.
Ryanair operated 20 Boeing 737-200’s from 1994 to 2005, laying the foundations for profitable growth and European expansion. Ryanair announced its first purchase agreement with Boeing in March 1998 for 45 737-800s including 25 orders and 20 options creating new opportunities for significant growth across Europe.
Ryanair has operated six Boeing 737 type series since 1994 including Boeing 737-200ADV, Boeing 737-300, Boeing 737-400 (Leased), Boeing 737-700, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 737-8200.
In May 2023 Ryanair announced biggest purchase agreement in its history for 300 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft includes a 150 firm order and 150 options in a contract valued at $40 Billion at list prices.
Today Ryanair Group (Buzz, Malta Air, Ryanair DAC, Ryanair UK) operates 411 Boeing 737NG aircraft and a fleet of 175 Boeing 737 MAX 8-200 aircraft with a further 35 outstanding aircraft to be delivered from its 210-aircraft order book.
To learn more read Ryanair Boeing 737 Fleet Milestones
Image Credit: Ryanair
Irish Aviation Research Institute © 22 March 2025 All Rights Reserved
