Ryanair orders 27 Boeing 737-800s for $1.9bn
06 Jun 2007
Dublin: Ireland-based Ryanair Holdings, Europe's biggest low fares airline, has announced that it has ordered 27 Boeing 737-800s, valued at $1.9 billion, as part of its plans to enlarge its fleet. A Ryanair statement also said that all of the new single-aisle Boeing aircraft on order would be fitted with technology that reduces fuel burn and carbon dioxide emissions.
The planes will be delivered between September 2009 and March 2010.
Ryanair's Chief Financial Officer said that the new order brings Ryanair's total firm orders for Boeing 737-800s to 308 and total fleet size, including planned disposals, to 262 by 2012.
Meanwhile, on 5 June, Ryanair released record net profits of €401mn, a 33% increase over the prior year figure and €11mn ahead of previous guidance.
Ryanair's traffic has grown by 22% to 42.5 million, yields have risen 7%, as revenues grew by 32% to €2.24bn. Unit costs increased by 9% mainly due to a 50% increase in fuel costs.
Despite this significantly higher fuel bill, Ryanair said that it has maintained an industry leading after tax margin of 18%.