Invests $500M In Its Largest-In-Europe CFM-Powered Fleet

Ryanair, an Irish ultra low-cost airline, announced it has signed an agreement worth $500 million with CFM International to purchase 30 new spare LEAP-1B engines to be delivered over the next two years. These additional engines will grow its stock of spares to over 120 in support of its fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft.

Ryanair currently operates 181 LEAP-powered 737-8 aircraft with 29 still to be delivered from an order placed in 2014. In addition, the carrier is expecting an order of 737-10s to begin arriving in 2027 that will also be powered by the LEAP-1B.

Michael O’Leary, CEO of Ryanair said,  “We are pleased to continue to develop our longstanding partnership with CFM. Today’s purchase of 30 new LEAP-1B spare engines is a significant commitment to improve the operational resilience of our Group airlines.”

CFM International is a 50-50 joint venture between Safran and GE Aerospace.

O’Leary added, “These latest technology CFM engines reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions per seat by up to 20 percent when installed on our B737 MAX fleet, which will further widen Ryanair’s cost leadership over competitor airlines in Europe.”

CFM said that Ryanair operates the largest fleet of CFM-powered Boeing aircraft, including the largest CFM56-powered Next-Generation 737s in Europe.

Ryanair placed a new order in 2023 for LEAP-1B engines for 150 firm plus 150 option Boeing 737-10 aircraft.

Gaël Méheust, President and CEO of CFM International said, “This new agreement is another milestone in the long and successful partnership we have built with Ryanair. We look forward to continuing to support Ryanair’s significant growth by providing them with industry-leading reliability and utilization standards.”

Ryanair has an ambitious expansion plan to operate a fleet of 800 CFM-powered Boeing 737s to transport more than 300 million passengers per year.

FMI:  www.ryanair.com/