Ireland’s Transport Minister has called on low-cost airline Ryanair to “live within the climate limits” following their airlines decisions to place an order for 300 new aircraft.
The airline has agreed one of the biggest ever aircraft purchase deals, ordering 300 new Boeings for delivery between 2027 and 2034.
Some will replace existing aircraft while others will allow for route expansion.
TheIrish Independent reported this week that Ryanair flights emitted more than nine million tonnes of carbon last year – the equivalent of the annual emissions of 750,000 people in Ireland.
Ireland’s Transport Minister Mr. Ryan said: “Ryanair is an incredibly successful company. They have benefitted this country in loads of different ways. But they know the aviation industry, like every other industry, has to live within the climate limits.”
“We have to scale that up so that those planes in 20 years’ time are operating in a way that is sustainable,” he said.
“Any investment made now has to look towards a future where we are not consuming fossil fuels and worsening the climate problem.”
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary argues that the new planes will be greener than current models, with improved efficiency enabling them to burn 20% less fuel.
