Ryanair talks with Comac a 'genuine, serious commitment By: Dominic Perry London
Source:
Low-cost carrier Ryanair
has reiterated that its discussions with Chinese airframer Comac on the
potential development of a stretched 199-seat variant of its C919
twinjet are serious and could still yield an order for delivery in the
2018-20 timeframe.
Industry observers have been quick to brand
Ryanair's flirtation with the Chinese as little more than a means of
beating down incumbent aircraft supplier Boeing on price. The final
delivery under its current order for 189-seat 737-800s is due to take
place later this year.
However, Ryanair chief executive Michael
O'Leary insists the airline's talks with Comac represent "a genuine,
serious commitment". He believes that all carriers should welcome the
emergence of the state-owned airframer as a serious player in commercial
aviation - "a real, credible third manufacturer" in the mainline
narrowbody market - as it will serve to drive down prices.
"It's a
great deal for airlines all around the world," he says. "If, all of a
sudden, we are all buying Chinese-built aircraft then Airbus and
Boeing's pricing strategy gets holed below the waterline."
Interest in the C919 was revealed by British Airways
parent International Airlines Group at the Farnborough air show in
July, where it signed a memorandum of understanding to work with Comac
on the development of the CFM International Leap-1C-powered C919.
O'Leary says IAG's move only serves to add "credibility" to the
programme.
Any order from Ryanair, however, is contingent on Comac
agreeing to make a stretched variant of the C919. The baseline model is
due to enter service in 2016 with up to 168 seats in an all-economy
configuration.
Nonetheless, Ryanair is continuing its discussions
with Boeing over a potential new near-term order. O'Leary says price is
the main sticking point, although he has again expressed his concerns
over the design of the re-engined 737 Max, citing the weight increase over the current generation 737-800 as a particular worry.
He
adds, however: "We are in ongoing discussions with Boeing and as soon
as we can reach an agreement on price we'll place an order. It could be
the -800 or the Max, whichever they discount the most - we'd buy a dog
if it was cheap enough.
"We'd like to place an order, but only when the price is right."
http://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/ryanair-talks-with-comac-a-genuine-serious-commitment-376057/