Ryanair aims for rapid growth

Chief executive Michael O’Leary told the Financial Times that he wanted to increase passenger numbers to between 120m and 130m over the next decade - which would make Ryanair one of the biggest airlines in the world.

Mr O’Leary said the airline is in talks with plane makers Boeing, Comac in China, and Russia’s Irkut over the purchase of 200 to 300 new narrow-bodied aircraft.

Ryanair flies from a number of regional airports, including Leeds-Bradford.

Dublin-based Ryanair carried 72.1m passengers in 2010/11 but the plans could double the size of its fleet of about 270 aircraft.

Mr O’Leary added that Ryanair could increase its share of the European market as the tough economic environment boosts demand for low-cost travel.

The outspoken Irishman said the airline could deploy 50 new aircraft to serve Scandinavia and a further 100 to service the Baltic states, Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

The airline paid a 500m euro (£431m) special dividend in 2010/11 and Mr O’Leary said another payment is under consideration for 2012/13.

A third special dividend could be paid in 2014/15 if no aircraft order had been finalised by then.

All of Ryanair’s planes are manufactured by US manufacturer Boeing, and analysts said costs could increase if it bought aircraft from another maker.

Mr O’Leary is well-known for courting controversy with his cost-cutting suggestions, which have included charging to use the toilets on planes, removing a toilet, standing passenger space, and scrapping the role of the co-pilot.