Ryanair Weighs Pay Freezes and Crew Cuts as €2 Billion Fuel Bill Looms
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Nov 2
Ryanair Weighs Pay Freezes and Crew Cuts as €2 Billion Fuel Bill Looms
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Nov 2
Summary
Ryanair is reviewing temporary pay freezes, lower crew ratios and wider AI use after warning its fuel bill could rise by about €2 billion in the year to March 2028.
The airline said Middle East conflict could keep jet-fuel prices elevated well into 2027, and expects European carriers to raise ticket prices by as much as 20% as hedging protection rolls off.
Ryanair remains 80% hedged at $67 a barrel through March, but only 25% hedged at $95 a barrel for the following 12 months, leaving it more exposed to higher oil prices.
Average fares fell 2% in the quarter to September even as passenger numbers rose 5% to 64.5 million, while post-tax profit slipped 6% to €1.61 billion.
The carrier said final-quarter fares are only modestly ahead of last year, with close-in holiday bookings still limiting visibility on whether higher ticket prices can offset fuel costs.