Ryanair close to new Boeing 737 Max jetliner order, sources say

Ryanair is close to placing an order for dozens of additional Boeing 737 Max jets in a commercial boost to the US planemaker after regulators lifted a 20-month safety grounding, industry sources said. Europe’s largest low-fare carrier, which has an option to expand its current order by 75 jets to 210 aircraft, declined to comment. Ryanair has been negotiating for months to expand its order for 135 aircraft as part of discussions with Boeing over compensation for delays caused by the grounding, but no decision had been expected until the plane was cleared to resume flights. US and European regulators lifted the almost two-year flight ban last month following changes to cockpit software and training. Ryanair is one of Boeing’s largest worldwide customers and an order from the Irish carrier is seen as a pivotal moment in efforts by Boeing to rehabilitate the troubled 737 Max, once its fastest-selling model. Each Max is worth about $125m at list prices but jets typically sell for closer to half their catalogue value and Ryanair is expected to win even steeper discounts for placing a key order amid cancellations by some buyers, the sources said.<br/>