Ryanair Profits Soar 128% on Easter Boost and Strong Fares

Ryanair reported a sharp rise in profits for the April-June quarter, more than doubling its net profit to €820 million ($953 million), up from €360 million a year earlier. The surge was driven by the timing of the Easter holidays, which fell entirely in April this year, and better-than-expected last-minute ticket pricing.

Europe’s largest budget airline by passenger numbers outperformed market expectations. Analysts polled by Ryanair had forecast €716 million in net profit for the quarter. CEO Michael O’Leary credited the strong performance to a full Easter in April, weak year-ago comparisons, and solid close-in pricing, as average fares jumped 21% year-over-year.

Looking ahead, Ryanair is optimistic about further recovery. “We cautiously expect to recover almost all of last year’s 7% full-year fare decline, which should lead to reasonable net profit growth in FY26,” said O’Leary. Ryanair’s fiscal year ends on March 31.

Despite the strong financial results, Ryanair shares closed at €23.12 on Friday, marking a 7.5% decline from their all-time high of €24.98 reached on July 8.

The Irish low-cost carrier continues to dominate Europe’s aviation market, leveraging its aggressive pricing strategy and seasonal demand. Ryanair’s performance highlights the ongoing recovery in travel demand and pricing power across the airline sector.

With the summer travel season in full swing and favorable pricing trends, Ryanair is well-positioned for further gains in revenue and profitability, provided market conditions remain stable. The company remains a key player to watch in the European airline industry.