Question about fleet and fleet upgrade

Hi

I am curious as to when Ryanair introduced the Boeing 737-800 NG to its fleet. Also as part of the new huge order it just announced it is mentioned that some if this order is to replace older aircraft in the existing fleet...Which aircraft would that be as the fleet is quite young in general. I can only guess then that it must be some of the first bunch of 737-800NG's delivered. Would that be correct..if so why?

Thanks,
G

Quite  a few aircraft are 10 years old or more :

http://www.jethros.org.uk/fleets/fleet_listings/ryanair_in_service.htm

EIDAC Boeing B738 8AS-W 29938 / 1240 03 Dec 02      
EIDAD Boeing B738 8AS-W 33544 / 1249  03 Dec 02      
EIDAE Boeing B738 8AS-W 33545 / 1252 10 Dec 02      
EIDAF Boeing B738 8AS-W 29939 / 1262 10 Jan 03     City of Nykoping
EIDAG Boeing B738 8AS-W 29940 / 1265 18 Jan 03      
EIDAH Boeing B738 8AS-W 33546 / 1269 20 Jan 03      
EIDAI Boeing B738 8AS-W 33547 / 1271 04 Feb 03      
EIDAJ Boeing B738 8AS-W 33548 / 1274 05 Feb 04     'Comunitat Valenciana titles
EIDAK Boeing B738 8AS-W 33717 / 1310 18 Apr 03      
EIDAL Boeing B738 8AS-W  33718 / 1311 23 Apr 03      
EIDAM Boeing B738 8AS-W 33719 / 1213 24 Apr 03      'Comunitat Valenciana titles
EIDAN Boeing B738 8AS-W 33549 / 1361 03 Sep 03      
EIDAO Boeing B738 8AS-W 33550 / 1366 06 Sep 03      
EIDAP Boeing B738 8AS-W 33551 / 1368 20 Sep 03      
EIDAR Boeing B738 8AS-W 33552 / 1371 13 Sep 03      
EIDAS Boeing B738 8AS-W 33553 / 1372 12 Sep 03

Thank you for the info!...Surely 10/11 years is not that old for these type of planes?

They are not so old, but they are about to progressively need more maintenance and I guess they can still be sold at a good price.

good point I guess... thanks for the info.