Ryanair seeking approval for jets

Ryanair is to hold an extraordinary general meeting to get shareholder approval for the purchase of 175 new planes that the airline has ordered to ensure it can continue to grow.

The directors of Ryanair are recommending to shareholders that they accept the proposals to buy the new Boeing 737-800 at a cost of around €63m each.

“In summary the directors anticipate that the new aircraft will provide opportunities to successfully open new routes, establish new bases, and increase frequency on certain existing routes.

“This in turn is expected to enable Ryanair to substantially increase revenues through increased passenger numbers,” said Ryanair chairman David Bonderman in a letter to shareholders.

In advance of the delivery of the aircraft Ryanair are planning on growing the number of routes they are flying this winter by grounding 20 less aircraft than they did last winter.

It is hoped that as part of their winter schedule Ryanair will announce a number of new routes out of Dublin, possible including routes to Morocco and the Canary Islands, where Ryanair has recently established year-round bases.

The airline has already announced a number of routes from Germany and Scandinavia to the Canary Islands.

However, these routes are subject to negotiations with the Dublin Airport Authority (DAA). Ryanair will be bidding to secure a low-cost deal with the DAA to ensure that the new routes go ahead.

A spokesperson for Ryanair said that they do not comment on speculation.

“We don’t comment on rumour or speculation about our various airport negotiations,” a spokesperson for Ryanair said.