Ryanair reported record post-tax profits of €2.26 billion for the year up to March 2026’; in relation to the previous fiscal year. %It represents an increase of 40’, warning that fluctuations in oil prices and geopolitical risks remain key concerns for the airline industry.
Despite ongoing delays in Boeing aircraft deliveries that have restricted capacity growth, the number of passengers in the 2025-26 period %4 increased to 208.4 million.
It happens to the passenger %Due to the high wages at the rate of 10 %7 increase, while operating costs are only %6 increase in unit cost %1’de held it. The Total Income increased to 15.54 billion Euro’.
CEO Michael O’Leary said Ryanair’'s fuel risk hedging strategy has mitigated the direct impact of the recent rise in oil prices caused by the Iran war and concerns over shipping routes in the Gulf ’.
Ryanair estimates fuel needs for the current fiscal year ’ini said it protected it from about $67 per barrel until April 2027’.
Middle East tensions overshadow airline's appearance
The carrier warned that instability in the Middle East’ continues to create uncertainty for airlines and energy markets globally.
Ryanair said in its earnings statement that the sector would continue to suffer potential disruption if tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil transit route, escalated further.
But the company believes it is uniquely positioned to take advantage of the potential collapse of other European airlines.
In an interview with CNBC on Monday, CFO Neil Sorahan said that “I think prices will stay high longer, which puts Ryanair’i in a particularly strong position given our strong fuel protection.
In an interview with CNBC in April, the CEO of Ryanair’in confidently stated that the company could profit from the disruption of other airlines.
O’Leary said at the time: “, I think there will be failures. If it continues at $150 per barrel in July, August and September, then you will see that European airlines have failed, and this will probably be good for Ryanair’'s business in the medium term.”
The airline refused to publish detailed profit guidance for fiscal year 2026-27, citing limited visibility into future fees, consumer demand and fuel costs.
Ryanair said summer bookings remain generally strong, although customers continue to book flights close to departure dates due to wider economic uncertainty.
Boeing delivery delays remain a constraint
Ryanair said delays affecting Boeing aircraft deliveries continue to restrict European ’'s opportunities for expansion in the short-haul aviation market.
The airline expects traffic to increase to around 216 million passengers this year, with the gradual introduction of additional Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
O’Leary also warned that aircraft shortages and supply chain constraints affecting the wider aviation sector will likely continue for several more years, limiting industrial capacity growth across Europe.
Ryanair argued that tighter market capacity should continue to support fees, especially for low-cost carriers with a scale advantage and strong balance sheets.
The company also confirmed that negotiations are ongoing on the extension of its contract, which will allow O’Leary’ to serve as CEO until 2032.
