Ryanair cuts passenger target on winter fuel costs

Ryanair has cut its passenger traffic forecast for this fiscal year, blaming high oil prices linked to the Middle East conflict. The airline now expects to carry 214 million passengers in the year ending March 2027, down from a previous estimate of 216 million.

The carrier said traffic will stay flat from November through March compared with the same period a year earlier. The winter schedule reduction is meant to cut winter losses by between €70 million and €100 million.

Sustained high crude prices would push short-haul fares up materially across Europe, according to Ryanair. It also said the cost environment would put strong financial pressure on several competing operators in the region.

The airline said it remains well positioned to ensure profitability this year, though it expects final earnings to be affected by fuel costs.