The Boeing strike could affect the US aircraft manufacturer’s production and reduce the number of aircraft Ryanair will receive next summer from 25 to 20, the Irish airline’s CEO Michael O. Leary said on Newstalk radio on Saturday. According to the latter, the low-cost airline group, one of Boeing’s largest customers, was initially due to receive 30 737 MAX aircraft by the summer of 2025, but operational problems at Boeing forced the manufacturer to reduce this figure to 25.
Following the strike that began on Friday by Boeing workers on the US West Coast, Michael O’Leary estimates that Ryanair could only receive 20 aircraft if the strike continues for three to four weeks.
Resumption of negotiations at Boeing early next week
Boeing has pledged to ramp up production by the end of the year after supply chain issues and a production slowdown following a Jan. 5 mid-flight incident involving a 737 MAX 9. According to Michael O’Leary, it would likely take two to three years for Boeing to get back on track.
The aircraft manufacturer and union representatives are expected to resume negotiations early next week to try to end the strike.
Source: BFM TV
