Skift Take
The colossal Ryanair machine relies on hyper-efficiency and a ruthless scrutiny of costs. By its own admission, Ryanair was 'over-scheduled, over-crewed, and over-costed' this summer. It won't let this happen again.
Ryanair warned Monday of a continued hit to passenger growth amid Boeing delivery delays. Europe’s biggest airline expects to carry 210 million passengers next year, down from the previous target of 215 million. It comes as the company reported a fall in first-half net profit of 18%, slightly below analyst forecasts.
Multiple factors are at play, but a shortage of new aircraft is one of the biggest headaches. Ryanair was due to receive 11 Boeing 737 Max planes in the October to December quarter. Only two are now expected during that period.
Ryanair CFO Neil Sorahan said the Boeing machinists strike meant delivery of the other nine planes will likely slip to the January-March quarter.
The carrier originally planned for 29 new jets ahead of next year’s peak. Sorahan cautioned that further deliveries ahead of the all-important summer season may also be delayed. “I think some of those are going to slip. We’re not going to get them all ahead of summer 2025. We might get 15 [new planes]. At this stage it is sensible to plan our business on the basis of slower growth next year,” said the CFO.
Despite Ryanair trimming its