Ryanair is closing its base at Skavsta Airport, Nyköping, due to delivery problems with Boeing. The airline is also lowering its traffic forecast.

The airline announces that it has received further delivery delays on the 737 Max aircraft model from Boeing for the summer of 2020. This means that the company is forced to close two of its European bases – Skavsta, Nyköping and the one in Nuremberg, Germany. The bases will be closed in March next year, according to a press release.

Stockholm Skavsta Utveckling has simultaneously sent out a press release stating that Ryanair has announced that they will temporarily move the planes stationed at the airport starting in the 2020 summer season. 

”"Ryanair will continue to operate at the airport but a certain reduction in the number of flights and destinations can be expected for some time," it said.

As a result of the closures and supply issues, Ryanair is being forced to lower its traffic forecast for the next financial year, which ends in March 2021. The forecast is being lowered to 156 million passengers from a previous 157 million.

The company will also reduce its summer capacity at a number of other air bases.

Ryanair regrets the closures and states that they are solely due to delivery delays of the Boeing Max aircraft. 

”"We continue to work with Boeing, our staff, unions and affected airports to minimise capacity cuts and staff reductions," Ryanair writes.

The airport group that includes Stockholm Skavsta Airport has been owned by French Vinci Airports since last year. The company operates 36 airports in 7 countries.

After two fatal accidents in October 2018 and March 2019, the 737 Max was grounded globally. However, the model is expected to be able to take to the air again in 2020 after regulatory approvals.

Source: di.se