Overview
- Post-tax profit rose to €2.54bn for the six months to September as the airline flew a record 119 million passengers, with revenue per passenger up 9% and average fares up 13%.
- Ryanair received 23 Boeing 737 MAX 8s earlier than planned, enabling added peak-season capacity and a revised full-year passenger forecast of 207 million.
- Management expects the remaining six MAX 8s by February and is accelerating pilot recruitment ahead of planned MAX‑10 arrivals from early 2027, which it says could support traffic of about 215 million.
- Fuel hedging was extended to cover roughly 80% of FY27 needs at just under $67 a barrel, alongside strong cash balances, an interim dividend, and an ongoing share buyback.
- Leaders say European short-haul capacity is likely to stay constrained through at least 2030, supporting higher fares, while risks include air-traffic control strikes, geopolitical conflicts, and regulatory changes.