Ryanair announces 5000 new jobs and 200 new planes as part of Covid recovery

Despite fears around the future of aviation and international travel Ryaniar announces big plans and investments over the next five years.

Subject to no adverse Covid developments, and vaccinations remaining at above 90 per cent across Europe, Ryanair will take delivery of 210 B737 Gamechanger aircraft over the next five years.

According to Ryanair, these new planes deliver industry lowest costs, reduced emissions, and will enable Ryanair accelerate its post-Covid growth, as opportunities open up at primary and secondary airports all over Europe, particularly where legacy carriers have failed or reduced fleet sizes as a result of Covid and State Aid.

Ryanair’s Michael O’Leary said: “With these new deliveries, Ryanair will open 10 new bases across Europe this year as we work with airport partners to help them recover traffic & jobs post Covid, and take up slot opportunities that are being vacated by competitor airlines who have collapsed or significantly reduced their fleet sizes.

On jobs, Mr O’Leary added: “Ryanair expects to create over 5,000 new jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers over the next 5 years, and the Group is excited to have, earlier this week, opened a €50m Aviation Training Centre in Dublin, with 2 further high quality training centres planned for Spain and Poland over the next 5 years.”

In addition, Ryanair’s pre-Covid traffic of 149m is expected to grow to over 225m guests by March 2026, which is 25m passengers p.a. higher than the previous target of 200m.