Ryanair Holdings aims for a fleet of around fifty Airbus narrowbodies operated by its Maltese subsidiary Lauda Europe, and is considering both A320-200s and A321-200s and a potential transition to the A320neo Family post-2030, challenging due to Airbus’s aircraft delivery backlog until 2030.
The Maltese unit, a part of the otherwise all-B737 fleet of the Irish low-cost carrier group, traces its roots back to Austria-based Lauda, acquired by Ryanair Holdings in 2019. Initially considering expanding its Airbus fleet, Lauda Europe has faced uncertainties regarding future fleet composition, contemplating A320neo acquisitions or maintaining a unified B737 fleet across AOCs.
Replacing the A320s with B737s remains a possible route if new A320 aircraft are not attainable by 2028 when current leases end, emphasizing constraints on securing Airbus aircraft as a key factor influencing fleet decisions.
The training cost of pilots and crew emerges as a significant driver behind Ryanair Holdings’ choice to retain the A320 fleet operated by Lauda Europe, which currently includes twenty-seven A320-200s alongside the group’s extensive B737 fleet across multiple AOCs.
