European airlines raise flight ticket prices
according to webangah News Agency, Europe’s largest airline, Ryanair, confirmed plans to increase ticket prices this summer following a year of depressed fares that resulted in a 16% profit decline.
The airline carried over 200 million passengers in 2024 and 2025 but reduced average fares by 7% to fill seats—a move triggered by disputes that forced some online travel agencies to halt ticket sales. This contributed to an annual profit drop of €1.6 billion (£1.4 billion).
However, Ryanair forecasts a 5-6% fare increase during the peak travel season in 2025.
The company reported that easter holiday travel drove a 15% surge in fares during Q1 of this year.
CEO Michael O’Leary stated the annual results were “very good considering our dispute with online travel agents and the 7% fare cut—these figures are remarkably resilient.” He noted an €8 per-passenger revenue yield but emphasized rising costs aligned with passenger growth: ”the cost gap between us and competitors is widening.”
Ryanair will distribute €400 million in dividends this year. O’Leary projected higher profits,citing lower jet fuel costs as an advantage.
He also revealed considerations to reroute new Boeing aircraft deliveries from its european hub to the UK to bypass potential tariffs.As Boeing’s largest European customer, Ryanair faces delays on its ordered 737 Max-8 jets due to long-standing production issues at Boeing’s U.S. facilities.
“Boeing’s factory situation has significantly improved,” O’Leary acknowledged, though the airline still awaits delivery of 29 aircraft for next summer’s schedule—possibly delayed until autumn—which “could reintroduce tariff risks.”
The CEO speculated Donald Trump might “seek some retreat on EU tariffs” and stressed Ryanair holds fixed-price contracts with Boeing: “Tariffs are Boeing’s problem, not ours—though we’ll collaborate with them on workarounds.”
