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11 clusters · 115 sources · 102 days · First seen · Last updated

Ryanair profit slump deepens as fuel costs soar

Overview

Ryanair’s earnings pressure persisted into the second quarter of fiscal 2026/27. After reporting a 34% drop in net profit to €538 million for the quarter ended 30 June, the carrier confirmed a further 34% plunge in pre-tax profit to €593 million for the April-June period, prompting it to suspend its financial outlook for the remainder of 2026. Operating expenses remained 11% higher year-on-year, driven largely by a near-doubling of unhedged jet-fuel costs. While the airline’s 80% fuel-hedging programme covered much of its requirements at $67 per barrel, market prices for jet fuel have reached approximately $140 to $156 per barrel, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

To mitigate seasonal losses, Ryanair has revised its annual passenger guidance downward and confirmed the removal of approximately two million seats from its winter timetable. While the airline previously planned to increase capacity in the Baltic region via Riga, new capacity reductions have been announced for Estonia and Lithuania, totaling 550,000 seats. This 25% reduction in those markets follows a 30% increase in Lithuanian airport charges and rising fees at Tallinn Airport. Additional winter cuts include 700,000 seats in Greece and one million seats across 20 routes in Belgium.

CEO Michael O’Leary noted that future decisions depend on oil price stability. While Ryanair does not plan to levy a fuel surcharge, O’Leary predicts competitors may increase airfares by 10% to 20% next summer to offset high costs, noting that loss-making carriers may face bankruptcy as fuel costs remain elevated.

Following these cost pressures, Ryanair’s departure from the Azores is expected to impact regional tourism, with potential losses estimated at 160 million euros. This downturn has increased pressure on the Regional Government as business owners criticize the current response and highlight high airline prices.

Entities

Ryanair · AirBaltic · Michael O'Leary · Aer Lingus · Alghero Airport

Claims

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

Timeline

  1. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Ryanair exit threatens Azores tourism with 160 million euro loss

    Ryanair's exit from the Azores could cause 160 million euros in tourism losses, while rising fuel costs threaten the sustainability of emergency medical helicopter services in Portugal.

  2. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Ryanair cuts capacity in Estonia and Lithuania amid rising costs

    Ryanair is cutting hundreds of thousands of seats in Estonia, Lithuania, Greece, and Belgium due to rising airport fees and fuel costs, while predicting industry consolidation and higher fares for rivals.

  3. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Ryanair, Turkish Airlines, and Lufthansa to cut capacity in former Yugoslavia

    Ryanair, Turkish Airlines, and Lufthansa are significantly reducing flight capacity across the former Yugoslavia for the upcoming winter season.

  4. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Ryanair to maintain 16 routes from Riga this winter

    Ryanair is increasing its winter flight capacity from Riga by 6%, maintaining 16 routes and proposing a $1.6 billion investment plan for the Baltic region.

  5. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Ryanair and airBaltic cut flights amid rising fuel costs

    European airlines Ryanair and airBaltic are cutting flights and reducing fleet sizes in response to rising fuel costs and market volatility driven by high oil prices.

  6. [BUSINESS] 5 sources
    Ryanair cuts 10,000 flights due to rising fuel costs

    Ryanair is cutting approximately 10,000 flights and two million seats for the 2026/2027 winter season to mitigate rising jet fuel costs and reduce seasonal losses.

  7. [BUSINESS] 27 sources
    Ryanair cuts 2027 passenger target amid rising fuel costs

    Ryanair has lowered its 2027 passenger target to 214 million and is reducing winter flight capacity to mitigate high, unhedged jet fuel costs. The airline warns of potential increases in European airfares.

  8. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Ryanair reports 7% passenger growth in July 2026

    Ryanair transported 22.2 million passengers in July 2026, a 7% year-on-year increase, maintaining a 96% load factor across more than 120,800 flights.

  9. [BUSINESS] 2 sources
    Irish airlines report deep losses and profit drop in H1 2026

    Aer Lingus posted a €34 million H1 loss and Ryanair’s profit fell 34% to €593 million, both blaming higher fuel costs and competition, with Ryanair suspending its 2026 forecasts.

  10. [BUSINESS] 67 sources
    Ryanair profit falls 34% as fuel prices surge and fares slip

    Ryanair's Q1 profit fell 34% to €538 m as un‑hedged fuel costs surged and average fares dropped 6%; revenue rose 1% to €4.38 bn and passengers rose 6% to 61.3 m.

  11. [BUSINESS] 3 sources
    Morgan Stanley raises Ryanair target price to €27.60

    Morgan Stanley lifted Ryanair's target price to €27.60 from €25.50 and kept an overweight rating, citing robust demand and low‑cost advantages, while noting fuel and economic risks.

Sources

abcbourse.com · aerointernational.de · airporthaber.com · aktiencheck.de · aktienkurs-orderbuch.finanznachrichten.de · alguer.it · apollo.lv · bdaily.co.uk · biznes.interia.pl · biznisinfo.ba · boerse-social.com · ca.sports.yahoo.com · capital.fr · capital.gr · carfree.org.uk · cash.ch · ciklons.tvnet.lv · cnn.iprima.cz · cronicaeconomica.com · crotoneok.it · cryptonomist.ch · cursdeguvernare.ro · dailymail.co.uk · deferias.pt · dicecompany.nl · DiePresse.com · dinardetectives.com · dirigentesdigital.com · doglife.ch · e-radio.gr · ebutikker.no · economia.economia.rai.it · economistas.gr · economytoday.sigmalive.com · econotimes.com · ekoturk.com · entrevue.fr · europa.pravda.sk · extra.ie · exyuaviation.com · f5haber.com · finanzen.net · fly4free.pl · fortunegreece.com · fr.businessam.be · fundacion-jrj.es · gewinnermagazin.de · hotsite.cnnbrasil.com.br

This summary has been updated 14 times: see revision history