Ryanair has announced cuts to its winter flight schedule due to a delay in the arrival of new Boeing 737 planes.
The airline said it was due to receive 27 new Boeing aircraft between September and December, but expects that figure to now only be 14.
This has been attributed to production delays at the Spirit fuselage factory in Wichita, Kansas, combined with Boeing hold-ups in repairs and deliveries in Seattle, Washington.
Who will be impacted and when do the cuts to Ryanair flights begin?
Ryanair said it would reduce the number of aircraft it planned to base at several airports across Europe, including East Midlands Airport and Dublin Airport due to the delivery delay.
As a result, flight cancellations will take effect from the end of October, and all passengers impacted will be notified.
Passengers whose flights are cancelled due to the cuts will be offered alternative flights or full refunds.
What happens if you miss your flight due to airport delays?
Ryanair boss apologises for flight cuts
Ryanair boss, Michael O’Leary, apologised for the cuts to its winter schedule and said they were working with Boeing to minimise the delivery delays and prevent further flight cancellations.
Mr O’Leary said: “We are working closely with Boeing and their supplier, Spirit, to minimise these delivery delays.
“It is deeply regrettable that production problems in Wichita and in Seattle have yet again delayed Boeing’s contracted deliveries to Ryanair this winter.
“We are in regular dialogue with Boeing, and our primary objective is to ensure we get delivery of all 57 contracted B737 aircraft before the end of May 2024, so that Ryanair’s fleet can grow to over 600 aircraft for what will be our largest ever summer flight programme.
“These flight cancellations will take effect from the end of October, and will be communicated to all affected passengers by email over the coming days.
“Passengers will be offered re-accommodation on alternative flights or full refunds as they so wish.
“We apologise sincerely to passengers for any inconvenience caused by these delivery delays this winter."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here