Ryanair cuts 2027 passenger target amid rising fuel costs

Ryanair jet fuel prices aviation industry passenger traffic targets European airfares

Ryanair has announced a reduction in its passenger traffic target for the 2027 fiscal year, lowering the forecast from 216 million to 214 million. This strategic adjustment aims to limit the airline's exposure to high, unhedged jet fuel costs during the typically unprofitable winter season between November and March.

Rising fuel prices, driven by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, have pushed jet fuel costs significantly higher. While Ryanair has successfully hedged approximately 80 per cent of its fuel requirements through March 2027 at a rate of roughly $67 per barrel, the remaining unhedged portion remains vulnerable to market volatility. The airline expects that reducing its winter capacity will mitigate seasonal losses by an estimated 70 million to 100 million euros.

Ryanair warned that if high oil prices persist through 2027, short-haul airfares in Europe are likely to increase materially. The company also noted that competitors with less effective hedging strategies may struggle to maintain capacity or face financial instability. Despite these challenges, Ryanair expects to see growth in its summer traffic (April to October), targeting approximately 145 million passengers.

Entities

Air Baltic · EasyJet · European Commission · Greece · International Air Transport Association · Michael O'Leary · Michael O’Leary · Middle East · Neal McMahon · Ryanair · Wizz Air · Wizz Air Holdings

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 2 SOURCES] High fuel prices will lead to significant increases in short-haul airfares across Europe. www.mononews.gr · www.newmoney.gr
[● 19 SOURCES] The company plans to operate a reduced winter schedule to limit exposure to rising fuel prices caused by conflict in the Middle East. www.mononews.gr · www.newmoney.gr · www.e-radio.gr · www.zarpanews.gr · bdaily.co.uk · +14 more
[● 19 SOURCES] Ryanair reduced its passenger traffic target for fiscal year 2027 to 214 million from an initial 216 million. www.mononews.gr · www.newmoney.gr · www.e-radio.gr · italiavola.com · www.zarpanews.gr · +14 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] This incident marks the fourth major failure of the Greek air traffic control system within the last 12 months.
[○ 1 SOURCE] An equipment failure in the Greek air traffic control system caused delays for 37 flights and affected nearly 7,000 passengers on September 1.
[● 17 SOURCES] Reducing the winter schedule is expected to decrease losses by between 70 million and 100 million euros. www.newmoney.gr · www.e-radio.gr · www.zarpanews.gr · www.travelreport.se · www.cash.ch · +12 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] Chief Operations Officer Neal McMahon described the Greek air traffic control failure as ‘unacceptable and avoidable’.
[● 8 SOURCES] Short-haul airfares in Europe are likely to increase materially if high oil prices continue. bdaily.co.uk · www.independent.co.uk · www.e-radio.gr · www.mononews.gr · www.newmoney.gr · +3 more
[● 3 SOURCES] The airline has reduced its 2027 air traffic target from 216 million to 214 million passengers. bdaily.co.uk · time.news · www.independent.co.uk
[● 6 SOURCES] Competitors may struggle to maintain capacity or survive this winter if high oil prices persist. bdaily.co.uk · time.news · www.independent.co.uk · www.e-radio.gr · www.mononews.gr · +1 more
[● 12 SOURCES] Approximately 80 per cent of jet fuel for 2027 is hedged at $67 per barrel. bdaily.co.uk · time.news · www.independent.co.uk · www.e-radio.gr · www.cash.ch · +7 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Summer traffic (April to October) is expected to grow by more than 5 per cent to 145 million passengers. bdaily.co.uk · time.news · www.independent.co.uk · www.travelreport.se · www.ekoturk.com · +1 more