Ryanair reveals quarterly profits slumped by more than a third
Ryanair has revealed quarterly profits slumped by more than a third as the price of jet fuel doubled due to the Iran war and the airline lowered fares to boost demand.
The Irish low-cost carrier reported a 34 per cent drop in profits after tax to 538m euro (£457m) for the three months to the end of June.
It said earnings were affected by surging jet fuel prices for the 20 per cent of its fuel needs that is not locked in, as well as a 6 per cent drop in average fares.
This offset 6 per cent growth in passenger numbers to 61.3 million and a 1 per cent rise in overall revenues to 4.38bn euro (£3.72bn).
Chief executive Michael O’Leary said the airline took action to reduce fares “as the Middle East conflict led to consumer hesitancy, concerns about EU jet-fuel shortages, economic uncertainty and later bookings”.
Jet fuel prices doubled to 150 US dollars (£111) a barrel in the quarter as the Iran war sent oil and gas prices rocketing higher, with the vital Strait of Hormuz blocked.
This helped send Ryanair’s operating costs jumping 11 per cent higher to 3.42bn euro (£2.9bn) in the quarter.
An interim peace deal between the US and Iran last month brought some brief respite to oil and energy prices, but they have spiked higher once again as negotiations have broken down and fighting resumed.
Mr O’Leary said it was too early to give a full-year outlook for the airline’s results, which the outcome “highly sensitive to adverse external developments, including conflict escalation in the Middle East and Ukraine, the price of unhedged jet-fuel, macro-economic shocks and continuing European air traffic control strikes and mismanagement”.
The Dublin-based airline said fares are continuing to come down “modestly” in the second quarter, despite a recent slight rise in bookings, with passengers continuing to book flights close to departure.
“While summer 2026 volumes are strong, the booking window remains closer-in than last year which further reduces visibility,” said Mr O’Leary.
“As is normal this early in the year, we have zero second half visibility so it remains far too early to provide any meaningful full-year 2026-27 profit after tax guidance.”
Susannah Streeter, chief investment strategist, Wealth Club, said: “Ryanair's results show just how quickly nervousness surrounding the war has seeped into booking patterns and operational costs. Its profit has slumped by a third due to higher fuel costs and the reticence of passengers to book holidays as war rages in the Middle East and cost-of-living pressures mount across Europe.
"It's a sign that consumers are once again tightening their belts and delaying discretionary spending, leaving airlines exposed not just to soaring jet fuel costs but also the prospect of softer demand.
"If the conflict drags on through the peak summer season, pressure on earnings across the travel sector looks set to intensify.”
Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: “The latest update from Ryanair provided insight into airline sector stress thanks to the turbulence created by the Iran conflict.
“Even for those carriers whose routes are not directly impacted, the increase in fuel prices, the pressures on consumer confidence, and the diminished appetite for overseas travel are all major headwinds to navigate. Visibility is worse than San Francisco airport when the fog sets in, and in that context it’s not a surprise to see Ryanair opt against giving full-year guidance.”