Ryanair has delayed the delivery of its first five Boeing 737 Max jets to the winter 2019-20 season, as a result of the worldwide grounding of the re-engined type.

But the budget carrier insists it has “utmost confidence” in the aircraft.

Ryanair has ordered up to 210 of the aircraft, which will be delivered in a high-density configuration featuring 197 seats.

Its first five aircraft, due to arrive in summer, will be pushed back to November this year. Another 42 due over the winter season will be delivered over the summer of 2020.

Pre-delivery payments have been “frozen”, the carrier states, and it adds that it “expects” Boeing to cover lost profits. Ryanair is engaged in talks with the US airframer.

The airline says its revised delivery schedule depends on European Union Aviation Safety Agency approval.

Ryanair says the delayed deliveries means the airline will “not see any meaningful cost benefit” until its 2021 fiscal year.

But it states that the aircraft will generate “significant” unit-cost savings for the next five years.

Source: Cirium Dashboard