Dublin, Sept. 11 – Ryanair winter fares may rise after a slight upturn in pricing, Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary said as the low-cost carrier adjusted its outlook following months of declining average fares. The airline recorded a very low-single-digit year-on-year increase since July after earlier month-on-month drops from February that contributed to weaker quarterly profits amid high oil prices. O’Leary noted it remains unclear whether the recent mild recovery in Ryanair airfares will hold, with the current July-to-September quarter still expected to show a very low-single-digit percentage fall versus the prior year, a modest improvement on July forecasts.
Winter season Ryanair fares from October to March now look more likely to finish flat or slightly higher rather than the previously anticipated low-to-mid single-digit decline, provided rivals cut capacity in response to fuel costs. A lot depends on oil prices over the coming months, O’Leary explained, adding he feels reasonably hopeful pricing could turn modestly positive in the second half. Oil recently climbed above $100 a barrel, prompting Ryanair to trim winter flights and lower its fiscal 2027 passenger target to 214 million from 216 million to limit unhedged jet fuel exposure.
If oil prices stay elevated into 2027, there will be a significant rise in airfares across Europe, the Ryanair CEO warned, affecting cheap flights and travel demand. The carrier halted additional fuel hedging as prices climbed but expects opportunities to resume covering remaining needs before Christmas. Ryanair already has 80 percent of fuel requirements hedged through March 2027 at about $67 a barrel and 15 percent of the following year at $85.
Travelers searching Ryanair winter fares, cheap European flights, and oil price impact on air tickets should monitor capacity changes and booking windows, as sustained high fuel costs could drive further Ryanair airfare increases and reshape low-cost airline pricing into next year.