Ryanair is stepping up pilot recruitment over the next three years as it gears up to introduce its first Boeing 737 Max 10 aircraft in spring 2027. The airline confirmed that Boeing expects Max 10 certification by mid-2026, ensuring timely delivery of the first 15 jets under Ryanair‘s existing order.
Ryanair Prepares for Next Phase of Fleet Expansion
In its first-half briefing, Ryanair announced plans to accelerate cadet and first officer hiring, with an investment of €25 million ($29 million) per year.
The initiative by the Irish carrier aims to strengthen the airline’s internal training pipeline, building a “strong pool of home-grown first officers” who can seamlessly transition into captain roles as the Max 10 fleet grows between 2028 and 2030.
Strong Fleet Growth and Confident Deliveries
Ryanair is nearing completion of its 210-jet order of Boeing 737 Max 8-200s, with the company optimistic about improved delivery schedules.
The airline expects the finals six aircraft to arrive “well ahead” of the 2025 summer season enhancing operational readiness during peak demand.
By the end of October, Ryanair’s fleet included 204 Max 8-200 aircraft, forming part of its 641-strong fleet.
The company also reported that half of the 30 CFM International Leap-1B engines purchased for operational resilience had already been delivered by 30 September.
These additions are expected to boost passenger capacity, with Ryanair now forecasting 207 million travelers for the full year, a figure higher than initial estimates.
Ryanair’s Financial Momentum and Cautious Optimism
Ryanair’s robust performance continues, with first-half net profit rising 42% to €2.54 billion, supported by a 13% increase in revenue.
However, Ryanair remains cautious about the months ahead.
While third-quarter bookings are slightly ahead of 2024, the carrier anticipates a “more challenging” fare environment, especially as the Christmas travel season will be followed by a quarter without an Easter holiday boost.
Even so, Ryanair expects to recover from 2024’s fare declines and achieve “reasonable” profit growth for the 2025-26 fiscal year, driven by strong demand and expanding capacity.
What do you think about the return of large-scale aviation hiring in Europe? Share your thoughts in the comment below.
Fantastic article! Really enjoyed reading through it!