Ryanair Carries 208 Million Passengers in FY2026, Boeing 737 MAX-10 Deliveries Confirmed

Ryanair has reported strong passenger figures for its fiscal year 2026, carrying 208.4 million travelers — a 4% increase year-on-year — despite facing significant disruptions caused by delayed deliveries of 29 Boeing 737-8200 ‘Gamechanger’ aircraft. With all 210 B-8200s now finally in service, the airline has closed the chapter on a difficult delivery period and is looking ahead to its next major fleet chapter: the Boeing 737 MAX-10.

Boeing has formally confirmed that the MAX-10 is on track to receive FAA type certification in late summer 2026. The first 15 aircraft are scheduled for delivery to Ryanair in spring 2027, in line with the contractual dates agreed between the two companies. Ryanair holds orders for a total of 300 MAX-10 jets, to be delivered through to March 2034.

The MAX-10 is the largest and most efficient variant in the 737 MAX family. Compared to the current B-8200 Gamechanger aircraft, it burns 20% less fuel and accommodates 20% more seats — a combination that should meaningfully improve unit economics on Ryanair’s dense European routes. For an airline built on minimizing cost per seat, the MAX-10 represents exactly the kind of generational step-change that the business model demands.

From a financial perspective, the delay compensation income that Ryanair received from Boeing for late B-8200 deliveries fell significantly in FY2026 now that the backlog has cleared. Other income was accordingly lower. However, the airline’s core profitability benefited from strong load factors and disciplined ancillary revenue growth throughout the year. With its full MAX-10 order book now firmly on schedule, Ryanair enters its next fiscal year with greater fleet visibility than it has enjoyed in several years.