Negotiations between Ryanair and Boeing over an order for the manufacturer’s B737 Max 10 aircraft have ended “without any agreement on pricing”.

Ryanair has started taking delivery of what will eventually be a fleet of over 200 B737 Max 200 aircraft, and had been in discussions with Boeing regarding “ a large follow on order” of B737 max 10s.

But in a statement the carrier said that “last week it became clear that the pricing gap between the partners could not be closed and accordingly, both sides have agreed to waste no more time on these negotiations”.

“We are disappointed we couldn’t reach agreement with Boeing on a MAX10 order, said CEO Michael O’Leary. “However, Boeing have a more optimistic outlook on aircraft pricing than we do, and we have a disciplined track record of not paying high prices for aircraft.”

“We have a more than sufficient order pipeline to allow us to grow strongly over the next five years with a Boeing 737 fleet, which will rise to over 600 aircraft and will enable Ryanair to capitalise on the extraordinary growth opportunities that are emerging all over Europe as the Continent recovers from the Covid pandemic.”

“We do not share Boeing’s optimistic pricing outlook, although this may explain why in recent weeks other large Boeing customers such as Delta and Jet2, have been placing new orders with Airbus, rather than Boeing”.

The forthcoming B737 Max 10 will be the largest variant in Boeing’s Max family of aircraft, and was first wheeled out in a low-key ceremony in 2019.

Low-key unveiling for Boeing’s first B737 Max 10

The aircraft took its first flight in June, and deliveries are expected to start in 2023, with customers including United Airlines, Flydubai, Virgin Australia and Westjet.

ryanair.com, boeing.com