Ryanair announced yesterday, Thursday 28th September, a series of reductions and flight cancellations in its schedule for this winter due to delays in the delivery of new Boeing aircraft between September and December. The cancellations will come into effect in late October and will be communicated to all affected passengers via email in the next few days.
The low-cost carrier had expected to receive 27 aircraft during this timeframe, but due to production delays at Spirit Fuselage facilities in Wichita, USA, coupled with delays in Boeing's repairs and deliveries in Seattle, the current forecast is now only half that amount, with 14 new aircraft expected between October and December.
Ryanair reports that it is working with Boeing to expedite deliveries in the period from January to May 2024, so they start next summer's high travel season with the planned 57 new aircraft.
As a result of these delays, Ryanair will implement a series of adjustments to its winter schedule this week. This includes reducing the number of aircraft based in Charleroi (Belgium) by three, Dublin by two, and its four Italian bases, including Bergamo, Naples, and Pisa by 5. There will also be aircraft reductions in East Midlands, Porto (Portugal), and Cologne (Germany).
The Irish airline has apologized for these "unavoidable reductions" in its winter schedule but justifies the decision by stating that there are not enough spare aircraft available. According to the airline, scheduled maintenance is required for its fleet of more than 550 aircraft to have them ready for the summer program planned for 2024.
"We are working closely with Boeing and its supplier, Spirit, to minimize these delivery delays. It is very regrettable that production issues in Wichita and Seattle have once again delayed the deliveries contracted by Ryanair to Boeing for this winter. These cancellations will take effect in late October and will be communicated to all affected passengers by email in the coming days. They will be offered re-accommodation on alternative flights or a full refund if they prefer. We sincerely apologize to our passengers for the inconvenience caused by these winter delivery delays," said Michael O'Leary, CEO of Ryanair.
