Ryanair is hopeful that delivery of its initial Boeing 737 Max 10s will take place on schedule in spring 2027, despite the intensified regulatory scrutiny which has pushed back certification.
The budget carrier has 150 firm Max 10s on order, with another 150 options, with deliveries set to run from 2027-30.
Speaking during a full-year briefing, chief financial officer Neil Sorahan said: “We need to first see the Max 7 certified and then the [Max] 10 will come a few months after that.
“So the way things are tracking at the moment, we understand that the [Max 7] should hopefully be certified, if not at the back of calendar 2024, then into early 2025.
“That will then mean the Max 10 could be certified somewhere hopefully in first half of calendar 2025.
“I think the launch customers in the [USA] will then fly both aircraft next year, which would put us well on track to receive our first Max 10 in the first half, spring of 2027.”
Ryanair is currently coping with delays to Max 8-200 deliveries. It has 210 on order, and had received 146 by the end of its full fiscal year in March 2024 – out of a total group fleet of 557 737s and 27 Airbus A320s.
Chief executive Michael O’Leary says recent Boeing management and procedural changes appear to be having a positive effect.
“Already we’re seeing improved quality on our aircraft deliveries but, sadly, not yet enough progress in terms of accelerating those deliveries.”
But he remains optimistic about the Max 10 schedule for the carrier, stating: “As long as it gets certified in mid-2025, we see no reason for those aircraft being delayed.”
