Ryanair has confirmed it will take delivery of up to 29 Boeing 737 aircraft in 2025 but said it would not issue any in countries including the UK which are raising aviation taxes.
The carrier said the aircraft deliveries represented a a $3 billion investment in new aircraft technology that would create more than 2,000 new jobs for aviation professionals in Europe.
It the new aircraft would be allocated to “efficient, low-cost airports in EU countries where governments are stimulating aviation growth” including Sweden, Italy, Spain, and Poland.
However, it confirmed: “There will be no growth in countries raising taxes, like the UK, France, and Germany.”
The airline claimed the investment made it the only major airline in Europe set to deliver “traffic, tourism, and jobs growth” across the continent next year.
It previously cited delays with aircraft deliveries as a contributing factor as it reported an 17% dip in half-year profits, and warned it would cut UK capacity by “up to 10%” after the government confirmed a rise in Air Passenger Duty in its October 30 Budget.
Head of communications Jade Kirwan said: “While most of Europe’s airlines remain capacity constrained, Ryanair is on track to take delivery of 29 new Boeing 737 aircraft in 2025.
“This additional capacity will enable Ryanair to grow our passengers from 200 million in 2024 to 210 million in 2025, and create 2,000 new jobs for highly paid aviation professionals at many of Europe’s most efficient, low-cost airports where governments are stimulating sustainable aviation growth by abolishing aviation taxes and lowering airport fees.”
Ryanair said the new B737 aircraft will carry 4% more passengers while cutting CO2 emissions by 16% and noise by 40%.