Ryanair has expressed disappointment in its recent business performance, and investors have reacted similarly, leading to a 17% drop in the airline’s stock following a quarterly earnings report that fell short of expectations. The Irish budget carrier reported revenue of €3.6 billion ($4 billion), nearly unchanged from the previous year, but profits plummeted by nearly half to €336 million. CEO Michael O’Leary acknowledged that while passenger traffic increased by 10% to 55 million, the airline is facing challenges in maintaining pricing and bookings amid rising labor costs and Boeing’s ongoing delivery delays.
During the earnings call, O’Leary noted that despite strong traffic growth, the airline must work harder to stimulate demand. He pointed out that recently booked fares are not meeting expectations, particularly leading into the peak summer months of July, August, and September. Additionally, he highlighted ongoing concerns about the economic pressures facing customers in the European Union, which have intensified due to prolonged inflation and sluggish growth.
O’Leary indicated that the airline will have less capacity in summer 2025 compared to what was initially planned with Boeing deliveries, leading to two years of minimal capacity growth. He suggested that if consumer demand remains under pressure for the next year or so, this reduction in capacity may ultimately benefit Ryanair.