Ryanair flying high as it strengthens hand with purchase of 175 Boeing jets

Ryanair handed Boeing its largest European order ever on a deal for 175 jets worth $16bn (€12.4bn) at list prices that strengthens the Irish carrier’s domination of Europe’s low-cost market.

The order for current- generation Boeing 737-800s will increase Ryanair’s fleet to 400 planes from 300 at present, as old planes are retired, allowing the carrier to increase passenger numbers by 25% over the next five years as rivals plan capacity cuts.

The planes will create more than 3,000 jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers at Ryanair’s growing number of aircraft bases across Europe.