Ryanair stays hopeful for 737 MAX 10 certification by late 2025

Key Takeaways

• Ryanair’s profit dropped 16%, despite breaking a record with over 200 million passengers carried this year.
• Delays and potential tariffs threaten Ryanair’s 737 MAX 10 jet deliveries, possibly causing further route and fare changes.
• Ryanair will raise ticket prices in summer 2025, aiming to offset lower fares while load factor remains near 94%.

Ryanair Stays Hopeful on 737 MAX Arrivals Despite Profit Challenges

Ryanair has shared its outlook for the future, and while the year brought some problems—like falling profits and delivery delays from Boeing—the company remains hopeful about its plans. Michael O’Leary, Ryanair’s CEO, is keeping a close eye on the situation with the 737 MAX, especially as the airline continues its push to grow across Europe. Ryanair is preparing for changes, and the way it handles these events matters for travelers, airline workers, and the wider aviation world.

Let’s break down the most important details so you can follow the story, even if you’re not an aviation expert.

A Mix of Hope and Uncertainty: 737 MAX Deliveries

Ryanair has been waiting for the new Boeing 737 MAX jets for some time, and this wait is taking longer than expected. The company thinks the bigger 737 MAX 10 version will be approved by late 2025, which is an important point for updating its fleet with more efficient planes.

But things are not simple. There have been problems all over the world with the supply of parts, and recently, the United States put extra tariffs (which are taxes on imports) on airplanes. These taxes are worrying for Ryanair, because if the costs keep rising, the company might have to push back the arrival of some jets. Michael O’Leary says the airline could delay taking new planes if they become too expensive, something that could affect Ryanair’s overall plans.

Even so, Ryanair has put down orders for a lot of planes—150 of the 737 MAX 10 to be exact, plus the option to buy 150 more if needed. Right now, the plan is to get up to 25 brand-new jets between August and October. But if the cost from tariffs makes these planes too expensive, Ryanair might not take them right away, especially since it really needs them from early next year for the busy summer period.

Profit Falls While Passengers Set Records

In money terms, Ryanair’s most recent year did not end as well as some might have hoped. Profit after tax fell by 16%, landing at about €1.61 billion (or $1.8 billion), versus €1.92 billion the previous year. Despite this, more people flew with Ryanair than ever before, with the carrier serving over 200 million passengers—a company record.

Why the profit drop when so many people are flying? The reason is simple—ticket prices fell by about 7% on average. Although more passengers helped bring in more money (a 4% rise in total revenue), Ryanair also faced higher costs. Fuel prices, staff wages, and other everyday expenses all went up, cutting into what otherwise would have been a very strong financial year.

Ryanair has kept its planes full, with about 94% of seats taken on its flights. This is called the “load factor,” and it means the company is running efficiently, making the most of the planes it already has. But even with full flights, less money coming in per ticket hurts the bottom line.

Fares Rising Again as Ryanair Moves Past the Dip

After a year of lower prices, Ryanair is now bringing fares back up as summer demand rises. Michael O’Leary and his team believe that the airline can raise prices a little bit and still fill most seats, especially as more people look to travel when the weather is good. The company expects that this summer’s ticket prices will be “modestly ahead” of last year. While it doesn’t expect to make up for all of last year’s fare declines right away, Ryanair hopes to recover much of the lost ground over time.

At the same time, Ryanair is paying close attention to where it sends its planes. The airline is following market opportunities in countries that offer tax breaks or other encouragements for flights. This way, it can use its aircraft where they will earn the best return and soften the pain from other challenges, including slow plane deliveries due to supply problems at both Boeing and Airbus.

Careful Steps Forward in a Changing World

Looking further ahead, Ryanair’s growth plans are becoming more careful because of plane delivery delays. Earlier hopes of faster expansion have been pulled back, with the latest target being about 206 million passengers this year—a growth of roughly three percent. This is less than what Ryanair wanted at first, but the delays in getting new jets from Boeing have forced the company to be more cautious.

Ryanair now expects the larger MAX-10 jets to show up in the spring or summer of 2027—much later than originally hoped. This is not just Ryanair’s problem; companies all over Europe are struggling to get new planes on time as Boeing and Airbus work through big order backlogs and certification processes, meaning official checks that take time before any plane can carry passengers.

Michael O’Leary and his team also highlight risks outside their control, like ongoing arguments between the United States and the European Union about trade. If tariffs on planes and other goods get worse, that could raise costs for all airlines in Europe, not just Ryanair. Add in the possibility of problems in the world economy, unrest in places like the Middle East, or even staffing issues with air traffic controllers, and it’s easy to see why Ryanair is making plans with care.

As Ryanair put it, “We expect European short-haul capacity to remain constrained in 2025 as many… OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers, like Boeing and Airbus) struggle with delivery backlogs.” This reality affects not just Ryanair, but every passenger and company in Europe that relies on air travel.

Highlights by the Numbers

It helps to see some key numbers side by side. Here’s a quick look at the main changes from last year to this year:

Source: Company and financial news reports covering March/April financial cycles.

How Ryanair’s Plans Affect Others

For travelers, Ryanair’s decisions matter because they set the price, frequency, and routes of flights in Europe and beyond. Delays in new planes can mean higher ticket prices or fewer flights, which shapes how easy and cheap it is for families, students, and workers to move between countries.

For Ryanair’s staff, the challenges around new aircraft and lower profits mean the company may move crews or base changes to follow the planes and the markets that make the most sense financially. This can cause uncertainty for workers, even as demand for flights stays strong.

For people thinking about jobs in aviation or those hoping to fly for business, study, or family visits, Ryanair’s strategy shows how the big picture in the airline industry creates day-to-day changes for individuals. Airlines must balance costs, government rules, staff needs, and what customers can afford—all while global economics shift around them.

Michael O’Leary’s Leadership in the Spotlight

Michael O’Leary is well known for his bold views. He doesn’t shy away from tough decisions or from voicing his opinions about airplane manufacturers, taxes, or regulators. His handling of the 737 MAX issue has shown Ryanair’s willingness both to wait for the right plane at the right price and to use public statements to put pressure on Boeing and policymakers.

For example, when asked about the risk of more taxes on American-built planes, Michael O’Leary pointed out that Ryanair simply won’t accept new deliveries if the costs get out of hand. His message sends a signal to both the U.S. government and Boeing: keep the costs and delays under control, or risk losing the business.

Fleet Planning and Efficiency: Keeping Costs Low

A key part of Ryanair’s success is using its airplanes as efficiently as possible. With such a large fleet and more on order, choosing where each plane flies is important. When tariffs or taxes change, Ryanair can quickly swap planes between markets or routes based on cost and demand. This flexibility helps the airline deal with industry surprises, from higher oil prices to sudden spikes in customer demand.

What could happen if Ryanair’s fleet plans are disrupted even further? In the worst case, it could limit how often or where passengers can fly affordably within Europe. On the other hand, if new deliveries get back on track or if governments step away from extra tariffs, Ryanair might grow even faster and keep fares steady or lower.

The 737 MAX: What It Means for Ryanair

The 737 MAX family, especially the MAX 10, promises several benefits for Ryanair. These planes can carry more passengers while using less fuel than older models. For the airline, this means lower costs and fewer greenhouse gas emissions per passenger. For travelers, it could translate into cheaper tickets and new destinations.

However, with delays in deliveries, Ryanair has had to hold off on expanding some routes or adding frequency. This situation might lead to missed chances for some airports, lost growth for the company, and less choice for travelers. The longer the wait goes on, the bigger these missed opportunities become.

Wider Impact: Immigration and Mobility

When airlines like Ryanair can’t expand as planned, it has effects beyond the bottom line. Air travel plays a big part in letting people move for work, family, or study. With over 200 million passengers a year, Ryanair helps connect people to new lives and opportunities—whether students heading abroad, migrant workers visiting family, or businesses building Europe’s future.

Supply chain delays and trade disputes don’t just mean more expensive planes for airlines—they may also make it harder and more expensive for regular people to move between countries. Policies and industry problems can shape how welcoming and open European borders feel.

If you’re interested in how official travel and mobility rules work, you can see detailed information at the European Commission’s Air Transport Portal, which gives updated facts about flight rules, rights, and industry policy in Europe.

Looking Ahead: Careful Optimism

As reported by VisaVerge.com, Ryanair will keep working through these challenges. The company’s approach is steady: continue to grow, but only when it makes financial sense. The delay in new 737 MAX deliveries is a setback, but the airline is using every tool it can—raising fares in high-demand seasons, using the fleet more flexibly, and looking for government incentives.

As always, Ryanair’s leadership by Michael O’Leary means that every choice is watched closely, both by competitors and by people who depend on the airline for work, travel, or even dreams of migration. Whether you’re planning a flight, searching for a job in Europe, or following travel news, how Ryanair handles this moment matters to you.

In Summary: What to Expect

• Travelers should be ready for slightly higher fares this summer, but still crowded flights.
• People wanting to travel or move for work will continue to use Ryanair, but may face fewer flight choices until new jets arrive.
• Staff can expect Ryanair to adjust where its planes and crews are based to keep costs down and returns high.
• Michael O’Leary will keep pressing Boeing and lawmakers for better prices and faster plane certifications.

By keeping a close eye on costs, supporting efficient flying, and being bold with public statements, Ryanair may yet push through the delays and come out ahead. The next few years will show whether Boeing’s promise to deliver the 737 MAX family—including the sought-after MAX 10—can help Ryanair return to faster growth and stable, low fares for everyone in Europe and beyond.

Learn Today

737 MAX 10 → The largest version of Boeing’s 737 MAX aircraft, offering more seats and improved fuel efficiency, pending certification.
Load Factor → The percentage of seats filled on flights; a higher load factor means more efficient use of planes.
Tariffs → Taxes on imported goods—here, US tariffs on aircraft impacting Ryanair’s delivery costs and fleet planning.
OEMs → Original Equipment Manufacturers—Boeing and Airbus; companies responsible for building aircraft and meeting delivery commitments.
Certification → Official approval process ensuring an aircraft meets safety standards before entering commercial service.

This Article in a Nutshell

Ryanair faces rising costs and delayed Boeing 737 MAX deliveries, yet remains optimistic about future growth. Despite falling profits, it carried a record 200 million passengers. By raising fares and optimizing fleet deployment, Ryanair aims to recover, while cautious expansion and CEO Michael O’Leary’s bold leadership guide strategic decisions ahead.
— By VisaVerge.com