The Ryanair Group intends to replace its 27 Lauda Airbus aircraft as their leases expire in 2028 and 2029, with other Airbus aircraft, potentially through new aircraft order. The current market is challenging for securing new Airbus aircraft, with Airbus facing delivery backlogs, and leasing companies are in short supply, leading to higher lease rates.
Ryanair Group CEO Michael O’Leary speaking on FY25 Earnings Call, May 19, 2025 stated “We have the Lauda 27 Airbus aircraft they’re due for those leases run out in ’28 and ’29, we would want to try to replace those with some other Airbus aircraft. But and at the moment, we’re still looking at those opportunities, but the market isn’t in our favor in the short term. We have no plans at the moment to dispose of them. It’s a bit too far away yet. Clearly, in the current marketplace, you could dispose them because the leasing companies are short aircraft and are pricing up, but we’re making so much money out of those aircraft.”
The Ryanair Group in medium to long term could acquire new A320neo family opportunistically through the following options 1) M&A activity releasing delivery slots to market 2) Current order backlog cancellations 3) Existing carriers deferring orders due local market conditions 4) A aircraft lessor selling portfolio to raise capital 5) Acquisition of existing A320neo operator with order book 6) Airbus increased production rate globally creates suitable delivery slots subject to price agreement.
Image Credit: Creative Commons – Anna Zvereva
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