On Tuesday, Ryanair DAC boss Eddie Wilson opened a new simulator and training center near Dublin Airport together with Ireland's Deputy Prime Minister Leo Varadkar. Interestingly, the A320 training machines outnumber them.

Wilson does not want to take this as an indication of a possible large order from the Boeing competitor, but points out that Lauda Europe is an Airbus operator in the group. He adds: “This will grow strongly in the next few years”. When asked whether there would be negotiations with Airbus, he said succinctly: “No. At the moment there are no discussions with Airbus ”.

During the event and in conversation with Aviation Direct, the Ryanair manager spoke repeatedly of the fact that Lauda Europe will grow strongly in the next few years and always mentioned this in connection with the Airbus A320 aircraft. But Ryanair does not yet seem to know what will actually be flown with in the future.

In the summer of 2021, Lauda Europe and Malta Air boss David O'Brien denied in an interview with Aviation Direct that the reloading to the Boeing 737 Max 200 had been decided. Eddie Wilson confirmed what his colleague CEO said and stressed that such considerations are far too early. The question would only arise in around four years, when the leasing contracts for the existing A320 fleet expire. “We will then see whether the planes will go back to the Lessors, whether the A320neo will be leased or bought, or will be reloaded to Boeing. There is still no decision and in general all of this is far too early. We will then order the type of machine that we believe is right at the time, ”said the Ryanair DAC boss. And anyway: 210 Boeing 737 Max 200s are currently being put into the fleet at the airlines Ryanair DAC, Ryanair UK, Buzz and Malta Air. This would involve a lot of training for the staff and the new training center, which according to Eddie Wilson cost 50 million euros, should make this easier. However, there are two Boeing 737 Max simulators, one of which is full flight and three Airbus A320 simulators, two of which are full flight.

Apparently the A320 is viewed differently internally

The question of whether the “two-brand strategy” presented by Michael O'Leary in spring 2018 has failed was sharply rejected. At that time, the Group CEO emphasized that Lauda is intended as a second brand and that Ryanair could even learn from it. Last year it was over, because apart from the aircraft painting, the fire is no longer used. “I think the Ryanair brand is much better known than Lauda and therefore they fly under Ryanair flight numbers. Lauda Europe is an ACMI service provider within the Ryanair Group. Malta Air and Buzz now also have planes in their own livery. However, I am not aware that a two-brand strategy was planned. But those are decisions that the Group made, not operations, ”said Wilson.

The capacity of Lauda Europe is needed within the Ryanair Group, because depending on the route profile, the A320 aircraft prove to be more economical than the Boeing 737-800. According to Wilson, the Lauda base in Stansted is coming because they have taken over numerous slots from competitors such as Easyjet at this airport and accordingly need aircraft. “We made good deals with the Manchester Airports Group and were able to acquire additional slots in Stansted. We need more capacity in the form of airplanes and the Airbus A320 from Lauda Europe are ideal for this, ”says the manager.

Faced with the statement by his colleague David O'Brien that the A320 fleet is said to be the “oldest and most inefficient aircraft in the group's fleet” and that internal competition with the “game changers” will be challenging, Wilson pointed out that Lauda Europe currently has 26 Airbus A320 and will grow strongly in the next few years. A larger order should be placed “at the right time” and whether it will be Airbus, Boeing or a completely different model, “you will see when the time comes”.

Ryanair will not introduce a mandatory vaccination

However, should Lauda Europe really switch to Boeing 737 Max, the Ryanair Group would have two Maltese Boeing operators. When asked whether such a constellation is rational, Wilson said: “Where would the problem be? Such considerations are at least four years too early. "

Eddie Wilson does not want to introduce a mandatory vaccination for the workforce. He doesn't believe in employers practically forcing their employees. “I think it is not possible that the employer can tell an employee that he has to be vaccinated. The decision as to whether or not to be vaccinated against Covid-19 must be made individually by everyone. Of course, in the future, many states may require you to be vaccinated when entering the country, but as an employer we will not impose any vaccination requirements on our staff, ”said Wilson, who categorically rules out taking over competitor Easyjet.