Ryanair has bought 21 Nordam-manufactured "hushkits" for $20 million (£14 million) for its fleet of Boeing 737 planes, the airline said yesterday. The devices, which reduce engine noise, will make Ryanair's planes compliant with new aviation rules long before the regulatory deadline of 2002, the company added.

Ryanair's director of engineering, Mr Brian Taylor, said the average age of its fleet was 17 years, and the hushkit programme would allow the company to operate these aircraft with confidence beyond 2002.