Record order for 737 Max, Southwest and Ryanair remain loyal to Boeing
Yesterday Boeing made it official that it had received an order for the delivery of 100 737 Max and 155 options on [...]
Southwest Airlines
Ryanair
Yesterday Boeing made it official that it had received an order for the delivery of 100 737 Max and 155 options on two models. The news was made official by the Southwest Airlines which released details of the order. With this new order, Boeing and its suppliers are expected to have more than 600 new 737 Max jets through 2031 for a single customer.
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The return of the Boeing 737 Max
Low costs, fuel savings, and almost no expense for pilot training continue to be the difference-makers that drive low-cost airlines to go for the 737 Max. The news of the order comes just a few months after the from the okay by Easa, the European Aviation Safety Agency, to allow these aircraft to fly again in Europe as well. The green light had already been given in the United States, Brazil and Canada.
In the official statement, Patrick Ky, executive director of Easa, had explained how there was no economic or political pressure: "We have determined that the aircraft can safely return to service after a thorough analysis," he said. Boeing 737 Max aircraft in Europe are mainly used by Ryanair which has targeted as many as 200 aircraft for its fleet. An order that revitalized the company's image after the two incidents that led to a 22-month shutdown.
Reduced consumption, operating costs, and a return to Europe
The aircraft of the 737 Max family will reduce fuel consumption and carbon emissions by at least 14% compared to the airplanes they replace. This will help improve operating costs and environmental performance. In recent months United Airlines had also returned to bet on the 737 Max, but Southwest's order is the largest placed since the aircraft's forced hiatus.
In order to return to flying in the skies around the world, some very specific rules were imposed. The authorization granted by Easa included the obligation to carry out a package of software updates, work on the electrical system and maintenance. Also planned was the updating of flight manuals, with precise rules on pilot training for a safe takeoff. For the return to Europe, Ryanair will initially offer the 737 Max in the UK. Progressively they will be included in the summer routes that are part of the ambitious airline plan. The aircraft was renamed 737 8200 Gamechanger (8 is the model and 200 passenger seats).
Ryanair press office image (credit: Piotr Mitelski)
In recent weeks Icelandair had resumed operations with the Boeing 737 Max. Previously, after the green light from EASA, it was Tui Fly Belgium and Smartwings that had operated flights in late January with this model. And in Italy? In Bergamo Ryanair predicted the arrival of one of 24 Boeing 737 Max which will be delivered after the summer.
