NEW YORK, Sept. 8, 2014
/PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) launched the newest member
of the 737 MAX family today with a commitment from Ryanair for 100
airplanes. Europe's leading
low-cost carrier will be the first airline to operate the 737 MAX
200, a variant based on the successful 737 MAX 8 that can
accommodate up to 200 seats, increasing revenue potential and
providing customers up to 20 percent better fuel efficiency per
seat than today's most efficient single-aisle airplanes.
In addition to the commitment, valued at $11 billion at current list prices, Ryanair has
options to purchase another 100 737 MAX 200s.
"Ryanair is proud and honored to become the lead operator of
Boeing's 'gamechanger' 737 MAX 200, which will expand our fleet to
520 aircraft by 2024 and create another 3,000 new jobs for pilots,
cabin crew and engineers in Europe, while allowing us to grow traffic from
82 million last year to over 150 million annually by 2024," said
Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary.
"These new "gamechanger" aircraft will allow Ryanair to lower
our costs and airfares, while improving our customer experience
with more leg room and the Boeing Sky Interior, as we roll out new
offers, particularly for our Business Plus and Family Extra
customers. As many of Europe's
flag carriers cut capacity on short haul routes, Ryanair looks
forward to using these new Boeing 737 MAX 200s to grow at many more
of Europe's primary airports,"
said O'Leary
Boeing developed the 737 MAX 200 in response to the needs of the
fast growing low-cost sector, which is forecasted to account for 35
percent of single-aisle airline capacity by 2033. While the heart
of the single-aisle market will remain at 160 seats, the 737 MAX
200 will provide carriers like Ryanair with up to 11 more seats of
potential revenue and up to 5 percent lower operating costs than
the 737 MAX 8, driving economic growth and increasing access to air
travel.
With the addition of the 737 MAX 200, the 737 MAX family offers
the right capacity to meet the needs across the single-aisle
market.
"The 737 MAX 200 is the perfect fit for Ryanair, providing
improved efficiencies, 20 percent lower emissions, increased
revenues and a high level of passenger comfort," said Boeing
Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Ray
Conner. "The new variant will play a significant role in
enabling the airline to continue to expand its operations, while
providing passengers across Europe
with outstanding value. For everyone at Boeing, it is an honor to
launch the 737 MAX 200 with Ryanair, one of the world's most
successful all-Boeing operators."
Based on the 737 MAX 8 airframe, the 737 MAX 200 can accommodate
up to 200 seats by incorporating a mid-exit door increasing the
exit limit. The airframe is 2.2 meters longer than the A320neo,
giving customers more flexibility and space in the cabin, and
offering a better solution at both the heart of the single-aisle
market (160 seats) and at maximum passenger configurations.
Standard across the 737 MAX family, Ryanair's 737 MAX 200s will
be configured with the passenger inspired Boeing Sky Interior,
featuring modern sculpted sidewalls and window reveals, LED
lighting that enhances the sense of spaciousness and larger
pivoting overhead stowage bins.
With 2,239 orders from 46 customers worldwide, the 737 MAX
family offers customers superior fuel efficiency, economics and
passenger comfort in the single-aisle market.
Headquartered in Ireland's
capital city, Ryanair operates more than 1,600 flights daily from
69 bases connecting 186 destinations in 30 countries. Currently
operating more than 300 Next-Generation 737-800s, Ryanair took
delivery of its first 737 in 1994, and now operates the largest
fleet of Boeing airplanes in Europe. With a team of more than 9,500 highly
skilled professionals, the airline is expected to fly more than 86
million passengers this year.
Contact:
Daniel Mosely
European Communications
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
+44 208 235 5665 (mobile in New
York)
daniel.mosely@boeing.com
Lauren Penning
737 MAX Communications
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
+1 425 306-3691
lauren.l.penning@boeing.com
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SOURCE BOEING