Ryanair Holdings PLC (LSE:RYA) chief executive Michael O'Leary has again criticised management at Boeing for delays in delivering aircraft ordered by the airline.
The Irish carrier, one of Boeing's largest customers, said that instead of next summer's expected 29 scheduled deliveries, it was more likely to get between 20-25.
"Things are continuing to slip slightly, it's been disappointing," O'Leary told Reuters in an interview.
"We're working closely with Stephanie Pope [Boeing’s new head of commercial aeroplanes] and the new team in Boeing, but they continue to disappoint us," he said.
Production issues have dogged Boeing since its 737 Max fleet was grounded after a door plug blew off an Air Alaska flight in January.
O'Leary said Ryanair had received five of the Max aircraft it had ordered in July instead of the seven scheduled and would get just five of 10 scheduled for August.
"Boeing has had significant production problems. We think they're getting to the end of that," he said.
Ryanair has 50 firm orders for the MAX 10 jets and options for 150 more of various types.
It is "impossible to know" if certification of the MAX 10 would be on time in the first half of 2025, O’Leary added.
"It's a day-by-day challenge with Boeing."
On a more upbeat note, O’Leary added that fares would likely fall closer to 5% this summer, against anticipations last month of a 10% drop.
“While fares were kind of softening during April, May and June, that has levelled out,” he added.
Peel Hunt analysts said easyJet and British Airways-owner IAG would likely outperform Ryanair this year, despite its reassurances.
“We anticipate that the indication [...] fares would fall is likely to see the group report much a worse yield performance than its UK-listed peers,” Peel Hunt said on Ryanair.
Ryanair shares rose 5.5% to €12.68.