The boss of Ryanair warns summer holidaymakers of potential fare increase
By Katy Austin
Transport correspondent
The boss of Ryanair, Michael O’Leary, has warned holidaymakers of potential higher fares this summer due to the delayed delivery of new Boeing planes.
According to O’Leary, the delayed delivery of the planes will limit passenger capacity, resulting in a possible increase of up to 10% in Ryanair’s ticket prices.
While the airline hopes to receive compensation, their primary focus is on ensuring the delivery of planes. Ryanair had initially expected 57 Boeing 737 Max 8200’s by March, but now anticipates only 40-45 planes to arrive in time for the summer season.
Airlines face capacity constraints and quality control issues
Boeing has faced scrutiny following an incident in which a piece of one of its jets blew out during a passenger flight earlier this year. Although the incident did not cause serious injuries, it prompted an emergency landing and compelled the US regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration, to intensify its oversight of the manufacturer.
Concerns about the quality control of new Boeing aircraft have led to a slowdown in their production, further exacerbating capacity constraints in the industry. Ryanair, however, expects their fare increase to be less steep this year compared to the 17% rise seen in 2023, thanks to fuel hedging.
Not only Ryanair, but several other airlines have also faced aircraft unavailability issues. For instance, problems with Pratt & Whitney engines have grounded a number of Airbus planes used by carriers such as Wizz Air.
Ryanair’s revised passenger forecast
Ryanair had originally forecast that it would carry 205 million passengers by the end of March 2025, up from 183.5 million in the previous year. However, with the current challenges, O’Leary stated that they might need to revise the number down to 200 million passengers.
O’Leary commented on the direct correlation between capacity and fares, suggesting that if capacity were to grow, fares would be falling.
Confusion surrounds Boeing’s handling of quality control issues
O’Leary described the communication from Boeing regarding the issues they’re facing as “confusion.” While he continues to support Boeing’s top management, he remains critical of the manufacturer’s quality control standards.
Ryanair believes that having one person in charge of monitoring the situation closely and ensuring timely production and delivery would be more effective compared to the current structure of having a replacement for the 737 Max programme’s boss and a new president for quality.
Boeing assured customers that they are working to make sure every airplane is of high quality and meets all requirements. They also expressed regret for the impact their delays have had on Ryanair and vowed to take action to improve quality and delivery performance.
