Ryanair trims winter schedule as fuel costs rise

Ryanair will trim its winter 2026/27 schedule because of rising fuel prices tied to the Middle East conflict. The airline now expects 214 million passengers for the fiscal year ending April 2027, down from a previous forecast of 216 million. The cuts should reduce losses in the seasonally weaker winter period by €70 to €100 million. Ryanair has hedged most of its fuel needs for the current fiscal year at about $67 per barrel and still expects a profit, though below last year's record €2.17 billion. If oil prices stay high into summer 2027, the carrier expects significantly higher ticket prices on European short-haul routes.