Ryanair has been in discussions with the American manufacturer for months over an order of 200 planes for with deliveries to unfold between 2013 and 2016. Some of the planes are intended to support new routes, while others are expected to replace part of the existing fleet.

Europe’s largest short-haul airline also warned it might cancel planes it has already ordered from Boeing.

Michael Cawley, the low-cost carrier’s deputy chairman, said 15 of 48 planes due for delivery next year could be cancelled or postponed, which would hit passenger growth. The warning came after the company posted an 80% jump in net profits.

“We’d like to order more aircraft to continue this rate of growth from 2013 to 2016, but if we don’t reach a deal with Boeing before the end of December we’re going to break off these discussions and then we’ll change the strategy,” said O’Leary, the carrier’s chief executive. “If we can’t spend our cash buying cheap aircraft, we may as well give it back to shareholders … I think they’d be delighted.”

Boeing had previously described the potential order as “the deal of the year”.

Airbus, Boeing’s usual rival for big orders, has already indicated it isn’t interested in talking to Ryanair, since it doesn’t think the big 737 operator is serious about switching to another aircraft type.

Picture: Rob Vogelaar, ZAPP group