Ryanair to buy 200 Boeing planes

Low fares airline Ryanair is reported to be on the verge of announcing a deal to buy 200 aircraft from Boeing.

Ryanair has said it is in talks with Boeing about a large deal that would likely be signed later in the year. Industry sources told Reuters in late January that a deal was weeks away.

A Ryanair spokesman today said the company did not comment on “rumour or speculation.”

A Boeing spokeswoman said the company did not discuss customer order negotiations as a matter of policy.

The Irish Independent today said the deal would be announced at a meeting between US president Barack Obama and Taoiseach Enda Kenny at the White House during an annual reception to mark St Patrick's Day.

The newspaper said the deal would be worth $18 billion (¤13.8 billion) at list prices. Boeing typically provides a significant discount to list prices on large orders.

A deal would be a boost for Boeing as it seeks to sort out problems with its new 787 Dreamliner, which has triggered a wave of negative publicity.

Reuters