Boeing picks up big order for 737 MAX jets from Ryanair

Boeing picked up Thursday its first major order for the 737 MAX since the aircraft was grounded for 20 months following two fatal crashes as Irish no-frills airline Ryanair signed a deal to acquire 75 of the planes.

The order was a sign of confidence in the aircraft which is moving towards a return to service following approval by the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) last month.

“Ryanair … today signed a purchase agreement with Boeing for 75 new MAX-8200 aircraft,” the carrier said in a statement announcing the carrier was converting options for jets worth $7.0 billion (5.8 billion euros) at list prices.