Boeing Wins Ryanair Order for 45 Planes

Boeing Co. received an order for 45 jetliners from Ryanair Holdings, reversing the U.S. plane maker’s string of losses against Europe’s Airbus Industrie for orders from European carriers. The Irish no-frills carrier said the deal includes orders for 25 737-800 jets, worth about $1.1 billion based on list prices, and options for an additional 20 of the 189-seat jets, which could raise the total order to $2 billion. Initial deliveries will come in March 1999. Some analysts said Seattle-based Boeing probably had to offer deep discounts to secure the order from Ryanair, a fast-growing carrier with an all-Boeing fleet. Boeing shares rose 13 cents to close at $52.56 on the New York Stock Exchange. Ryanair shares fell $2.13 to close at $34.88 on Nasdaq.