Ryanair looks to double numbers as it places $22bn order for 200 aircraft

Ryanair today announced the purchase of 200 new aircraft from Boeing, at a cost of up to US $22bn.

The Boeing 737 Max 200 aircraft is expected to begin delivery in 2019, and Ryanair has set itself up as the primary customer.

CEO Michael O'Leary signed the agreement in New York this morning, subject to approval by shareholders at a November EGM.

The purchase, if it goes through, will be the largest ever order from a European airline with Boeing, and Ryanair is hoping it will help the airline almost double its passenger numbers within a decade.

The new planes each seat 197 passengers, have a redesigned interior, and slimmer seats which, the airline claims, will provide more leg room.

In addition, the company says the modern engines and aerodynamic improvements will save up to 18% on fuel and make the flight a quieter experience.

The airline already has an order for 180 new Boeing 737-800s, the first of which is due to arrive tomorrow. That order will increase Ryanair's fleet size from 304 to 420, with a target to increase passenger numbers from 82 million to 112m by 2019.

Today's announcement of the order for the 737 Max 200 will, the airline hopes, allow it to further increase its fleet size to 520 aircraft from 2019 to 2024, and passenger numbers to 150 million - almost double current figures of 82 million.

At the announcement, O'Leary said the aircraft was a "gamechanger" and the airline's expansion will create 3,000 new jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers.

"These new “gamechanger” aircraft will allow Ryanair to lower our costs and airfares, while improving our customer experience," he said.

"As many of Europe’s flag carriers cut capacity on short haul routes, Ryanair looks forward to using these new Boeing 737 MAX 200 aircraft to grow at many more of Europe’s primary airports."