Dublin, June 11 - Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, has announced a significant investment of $500 million (€437 million) to acquire 30 new LEAP-1B spare engines from CFM International, a joint venture between Safran and GE Aerospace. This strategic purchase, revealed on June 10, 2025, aims to bolster the operational resilience of Ryanair’s expanding fleet of Boeing 737 aircraft. The fuel-efficient engines, scheduled for delivery over the next two years, will support the airline’s current fleet of 210 Boeing 737 Gamechanger aircraft, specifically the 737-8-200 models, and prepare for the arrival of the 737 MAX 10 aircraft starting in 2027. With this acquisition, Ryanair’s spare engine inventory will exceed 120 units, significantly enhancing its ability to maintain schedule reliability and minimize disruptions during peak travel seasons or unexpected maintenance needs.
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The LEAP-1B engines are renowned for their advanced technology, offering improved fuel efficiency and reduced carbon emissions, aligning with Ryanair’s commitment to environmental responsibility. The airline, which currently operates a fleet of approximately 620 aircraft, including 181 LEAP-powered 737-8-200s, plans to expand to 800 Boeing 737s by 2034. This ambitious growth strategy aims to accommodate an annual passenger volume of 300 million, up from the 206 million passengers carried annually across 3,600 daily flights to over 230 airports in 37 countries.
The additional spare engines will provide a critical buffer against maintenance bottlenecks, ensuring consistent service quality as the airline scales its operations. Ryanair’s long-standing partnership with CFM, dating back to 1998, underscores its confidence in the reliability and performance of these engines, which have accumulated nearly 30 million flight hours and 12 million cycles since entering service. This investment is part of a broader strategy to enhance operational independence and reduce reliance on third-party maintenance providers. In parallel, Ryanair is constructing a €40 million maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) hangar at Dublin Airport, its largest to date, to support heavy maintenance for its growing Boeing fleet.
The airline’s focus on maintaining a robust spare engine pool and in-house maintenance capabilities reflects its proactive approach to addressing potential supply chain challenges, such as those recently faced by CFM, which reported a 13% decline in LEAP engine deliveries in the first quarter of 2025 due to supply chain constraints. By securing these 30 new engines, Ryanair is not only preparing for its fleet expansion but also safeguarding against disruptions that could impact its cost leadership and operational efficiency in the competitive European aviation market. This move reinforces Ryanair’s position as a forward-thinking carrier committed to delivering low-cost, reliable air travel while advancing its sustainability goals.