Ryanair Holdings PLC (LSE:RYA) boss Michael O’Leary has said his airline has previously discovered issues in jets delivered by Boeing Co (NYSE:BA, ETR:BCO), as pressure builds on the US-based aircraft manufacturer.
"We ourselves have found minor issues on aircraft deliveries that shouldn't be occurring in a world class manufacturer like Boeing,” O’Leary said on Thursday.
His comments follow the grounding of over 170 Boeing 737 Max 9 jets globally following an incident in which a door plug panel blew off an Alaska Air flight last week.
Joining the likes of United Airlines and Alaska Air, the two companies worst affected by the groundings, in claiming quality issues, O’Leary argued Boeing needs to take action.
“I think Boeing have more to do on the quality control side,” he said.
O’Leary reassured that Ryanair’s 737 Max 8 jets from Boeing were not at threat from the same issues that affect the Max 9, following discussions with regulators on both sides of the Atlantic.
He also reiterated Ryanair’s commitment to orders from Boeing, with the budget airline awaiting 737 Max 10 variants from the manufacturer.
“We see no indication of any passenger concern” from the Max issues, O’Leary added, “not one passenger”.
Ryanair shares climbed 0.9% to €18.23.