Ryanair gets timely ratings boost from S&P

Ryanair has received a significant boost ahead of its attempts to tap the capital markets to help finance its planned fleet expansion, by receiving a BBB+ credit rating from Standard & Poor’s; making the Dublin-based carrier the highest rated airline in the world.

The rating, Ryanair’s management said, will ultimately have a positive knock-on effect for passengers, as it will enable the airline to maintain its low cost/low fare model.

“The successful achievement of this BBB+ rating is part of our plan to access the capital markets to finance the purchase of our 175 Boeing 737-800 order, via both secured and unsecured debt offerings. The rating will enable us to achieve lower cost financing to ensure that we continue to have the lowest costs and the lowest fares in Europe,” Ryanair’s chief financial officer and deputy chief executive, Howard Millar, said.