Irish budget airline Ryanair has finalised a $3bn order with Boeing for the purchase of 25 new 737 MAX 8 ‘Gamechanger’ aircraft.

In 2014, Ryanair placed an order for 100 737 MAX 8 planes, launching its fleet of the aircraft.

Last year, the company placed an order for additional ten 737 MAX 8 aircraft at Paris Air Show. The latest order takes the airline’s total order for 737 MAX 8 planes to 135.

The 737 MAX 8 aircraft has a seating capacity for 197 passengers and consumes up to 14% less fuel than the current next-generation Boeing 737 aircraft.

“The airplane gives our airline customers more seats to serve their core markets, maximising revenue potential at the best cost per seat in the industry.”

Ryanair chief financial officer Neil Sorahan said: “The Gamechanger has eight more seats than our current 189-seat Boeing 737-800NG and incorporates the latest technology engines and winglets, which reduce fuel consumption and noise emissions, ensuring we remain Europe’s greenest, cleanest airline and lowest cost airline.

“We look forward to taking delivery of our first Gamechanger in Spring 2019.”

Last month, Ryanair received its 500th next-generation 737-800 aircraft.

Boeing commercial sales and marketing senior vice-president Ihssane Mounir said: “Ryanair’s follow-on order shows once again that the high capacity 737 MAX 8 is the perfect airplane for low-cost carriers.

“The airplane gives our airline customers more seats to serve their core markets, maximising revenue potential at the best cost per seat in the industry.”

In a separate development, Boeing HorizonX has invested in metal-based additive engineering and manufacturing company Morf3D.

The investment was made through a Series A funding round that was co-led by Boeing HorizonX Ventures.