Dublin, August 16 - Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost airline, is experiencing robust demand for summer 2025 travel, with bookings surpassing last year’s figures and ticket prices showing resilience, according to Chief Executive Michael O’Leary. In a recent interview in Tirana, O’Leary expressed optimism about meeting the airline’s summer targets, citing a 1% increase in bookings compared to the same period in 2024. This uptick reflects a strong appetite for leisure travel across Europe, particularly to popular destinations such as Italy, Greece, Spain, the Balearics, the Canaries, and Morocco. Despite a severe heatwave affecting parts of Europe, O’Leary noted no significant changes in consumer travel plans, describing heatwaves as a temporary phenomenon that has not deterred holidaymakers. The airline anticipates recovering most of the 7% decline in average fares seen in the July-September quarter of the previous year, which was impacted by consumer caution and a dispute with online travel agents. This recovery is driven by strong demand and strategic operational adjustments, positioning Ryanair to capitalize on the peak summer season.
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The airline’s optimism is bolstered by operational improvements, notably Boeing’s agreement to deliver 14 aircraft—seven in August and seven in September—ahead of schedule. These early deliveries of 737 MAX jets, part of Ryanair’s order of 29 aircraft due this winter, help address previous delays that constrained the airline’s growth. O’Leary praised Boeing’s efforts, noting that the accelerated deliveries will enhance Ryanair’s capacity to meet rising demand. In Tirana, O’Leary announced plans to double the airline’s capacity at the city’s airport to four million passengers annually by basing three additional aircraft there starting in April 2026. This expansion underscores Ryanair’s confidence in Albania as an emerging travel destination, described by O’Leary as a “hidden jewel of the Adriatic.” The move is part of a broader strategy to focus on markets with favorable conditions, such as lower taxes and fewer regulatory hurdles, enabling Ryanair to maintain its cost-competitive model while expanding its network.
Ryanair is also capitalizing on opportunities in other European markets, particularly Sweden, where it plans to increase capacity by 25% this winter following the country’s decision to eliminate its aviation tax. This expansion includes adding eight new routes, intensifying competition with local carriers like SAS and Norwegian Air. Ryanair’s Chief Marketing Officer, Dara Brady, emphasized the potential for significant growth in Sweden, suggesting that frozen airport charges and additional incentives could enable the airline to double its traffic there by 2030. These strategic moves reflect Ryanair’s ability to adapt to market conditions, leveraging tax-friendly environments to enhance profitability. However, O’Leary cautioned that external factors, such as potential U.S. tariffs, could pose challenges to global growth, urging a cautious approach despite the current positive outlook.
The strong summer performance comes amidst broader financial and operational dynamics for Ryanair. For the year ending March 2025, the airline reported a record 200.2 million passengers, a 9% increase from the previous year, and a 4% revenue rise to €13.95 billion. However, net profit fell 16% to €1.61 billion, primarily due to last year’s fare cuts and rising costs, including a 17% increase in staff expenses. Ryanair’s focus on cost control, fuel hedging, and fleet modernization with fuel-efficient Boeing 737 MAX 8s has helped mitigate these pressures. The airline’s ability to raise fares, driven by robust demand and constrained competitor capacity due to aircraft delivery delays, positions it favorably for the summer season. As Ryanair continues to expand its network and optimize operations, travelers are advised to book early to secure the best fares, given the upward pressure on prices and high load factors, with June 2025 flights reaching a 95% occupancy rate.