Ryanair posts €2.15 billion profit, 15% drop in half‑year results

Ryanair announced a post‑tax profit of €2.15 billion for the first half of its financial year, a decline of 15% from the same period a year earlier.

Revenue per passenger fell 3% as the airline faced rising costs, notably fuel. Unhedged fuel prices doubled to $130 a barrel, while 80% of the carrier’s fuel remained hedged at $67 a barrel, contributing to a 10% increase in overall costs.

Chief Financial Officer Neil Sorahan told Breakfast Business with Joe Lynam that a combination of factors affected the results, including the Middle East conflict, which reduced fares by 4% despite a 6% rise in passenger numbers to 126 million, and reduced Easter travel in the first quarter.

Sorahan also highlighted the introduction of new aircraft that are 20% more fuel‑efficient and offer 20% more seats. Ryanair expects to receive 16 of these planes by summer 2025, ahead of the originally planned 15, which should help improve productivity and cost savings.

While Michael O’Leary has hinted at fare increases for next summer, the airline remains confident that the new fleet will mitigate fuel cost pressures.

Source: Newstalk. Photo: Dan Wright / Pexels.