Ryanair says summer bookings remain strong, fares holding up
He also praised Boeing for agreeing to deliver some jets earlier than scheduled, ending a run of delays that have curbed Ryanair's growth rate.
"We're seeing strong bookings through the peak summer months ... The fares are holding up," Mr O'Leary said, adding bookings were about 1% ahead of the same point last year.
He repeated a forecast from July that average fares were likely to recover almost all of a 7% decline seen in the July-September quarter last year, when Ryanair was hit by consumer caution and a dispute with some online travel agents.
Hitting the summer target will depend on close-in bookings for the remainder of the airline's key second quarter, which ends on September 30, he said.
There has been no sign of consumers changing their plans due to heatwaves this summer, Mr O'Leary added. But he warned US tariffs would ultimately act as a drag on global growth.
"I think everybody is cautious at the moment, and we're right to be cautious," he said.
Boeing, which is due to deliver the final 29 aircraft of Ryanair's current order of 737 MAX jets this winter, has agreed to deliver seven jets in August and seven in September, ahead of an earlier-agreed schedule.
"Boeing are doing a terrific job," Mr O'Leary said.
He was speaking in Tirana, where he announced a doubling of capacity to four million passengers per year with the basing of three aircraft at the airport from next April. He described Albania as a hidden jewel of the Adriatic.
Ryanair, Europe's largest airline by passengers, also announced plans to increase capacity serving Sweden by 25% for this winter, adding eight new routes, after the country scrapped its aviation tax at the beginning of last month.
That will add to pressure on local rivals such as SAS and Norwegian Air.
Ryanair chief marketing officer Dara Brady called on Sweden also to freeze airport charges and potentially offer additional incentives for growth, saying this could allow Ryanair to double its Swedish traffic by 2030.
"The market is well capable of growing significantly here over the next number of years," Mr Brady told a news conference.
Reuters
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The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Swap Majorca for these ‘destination dupes' where you can get a beer for under £2 and beaches with no crowds
Plus, many have a mix of history, hiking and great beaches SANDS GREAT Swap Majorca for these 'destination dupes' where you can get a beer for under £2 and beaches with no crowds LOVE Majorca, but want to find somewhere else with less crowds and new spots to explore? Well, here are six pretty alternatives. Majorca is becoming busier and busier each year with tourists. 8 There are many great alternatives to Majorca including Mdina Credit: Getty Win one of 8 incredible holidays to the Caribbean, Mexico and Greece by voting in The Sun's Travel Awards - enter to win here So, the people at Eurochange have found six lesser-known holiday spots across Europe, that are similar to the popular Balearic destination. Mdina, Malta Mdina is known as Malta's old capital, surrounded by historic walls. If you have a soft spot for Majorca's capital city, Palma, then you are bound to love Mdina in Malta. Although it is much smaller than the Majorcan city, Mdina has many similarities to Palma in terms of its warm, year-round climate and the gorgeous, quaint, cobbled streets you can wander in its old town. Dubbed the 'silent city', it is known for its peaceful ambience, with very limited road traffic. Mdina is also one of Europe's finest examples of an ancient walled city, with a history dating back 4,000 years. From its towering city walls, you can enjoy breathtaking views of the island. It's also worth a visit for Game of Thrones fans. It has been used as a filming location for a number of scenes in the epic drama! You can catch a direct flight to Valletta from select UK airports. The Sun explores Majorca 8 Mdina is a historic city dating back 4,000 years Credit: Getty For example, you could fly with Ryanair from Edinburgh on August 19 and return on August 27 for £110. Or you could fly with Ryanair from Bournemouth on August 27 and return on August 31 for £162. There is plenty of accommodation still available throughout August too, with stays as little as £22 per night. And for when you're there, the average price of a beer is €4.00 (£3.19) and a meal will set you back around €18.00 (£14.34). La Gomera, Spain The volcanic island of La Gomera is the second smallest of the Canary Islands and features rugged yet breathtaking landscapes. If an adventure or hiking holiday is your thing, La Gomera is a must visit. Known for its dramatic landscapes, lush forests, steep cliffs, and volcanic formations, the island is also home to the Garajonay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. While the island is not as well known for its beaches as other Canary Islands, it does have some secluded stretches of black sand. Like other islands in the region, La Gomera benefits from pleasant temperatures throughout the year too. And, its low light pollution means it's an excellent spot for stargazing. 8 Or you could head to La Gomera, which is the second smallest of the Canary Islands and used to be a volcano Credit: Getty You can get a flight to Tenerife from Edinburgh on August 15 and return on August 21 for £74 with Jet2. Or you could fly from Glasgow on August 19 and return on August 23 for £107 with Jet2 and TUI. Hotels on can also be found for August as low as £50 per night. When there, you can also expect to spend around €2.50 (£1.99) on beer and roughly €15.00 (£11.95) per meal. Llafranc, Spain Llafranc is one of three coastal towns that can be found in the Palafrugell region of Girona, Spain. Llafranc, a coastal town in the Costa Brava is a great alternative option for those who love Majorca's beach resorts. Boasting a picturesque crescent-shaped beach with crystal-clear waters, it is the ideal relaxing swimming and sunbathing spot. 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Carvoerio, Portugal Carvoeiro in Portugal is known for being a relaxed resort town, away from the more busy Algarve resorts. A lesser known spot in Portugal's popular Algarve region, Carvoerio is another stunning, relaxed coastal town, suitable for families, couples or solo travellers. If you're up for a little exploring when you're there, it's definitely worth visiting the 'Algar Seco', a unique rock formation in the sea which you can swim up to, or you can even take a kayak or boat trip at dawn or sunset for some truly incredible views. You could hop on a flight from Aberdeen to Faro on August 18 and return on the August 24 for £71. 8 In Portugal, you could head to Carvoerio for just £67 Credit: Getty Or you could head from Birmingham Airport on August 17 and return on August 24 for £67 with Ryanair. Airbnb stays are still available from £22 per night in August. When in Carvoerio, beer on average costs €2.50 (£1.99) and a meal is around €12.00 (£9.56). Lassithi, Crete Lassithi is located at one end of the island of Crete, in Greece and features numerous mountainous villages. If you're looking to escape the crowds this summer, then Lassithi is a fantastic holiday spot, offering a peaceful, authentic Greek experience, with very reasonable prices too. Lassithi's coastline is much less developed and often more secluded than those in Majorca, so you won't need to worry about being able to get a secluded sunbathing spot. This region is also a must visit for foodies, some of the best Greek produce is made here including olive oil and honey. You could also visit one of the many olive oil farms in the region as well. 8 Lassithi in Crete is known for its many olive oil farms Credit: Getty Flights from Newcastle to Heraklion on August 15 and returning on August 20 cost £109 with Ryanair. Or you could head from Nottingham on August 15 and return on August 22 for £124 with TUI. Airbnb stays are still available in August from £32 per night. 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Irish Times
a day ago
- Irish Times
Global stocks rally fizzles out as US bond yields rise
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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Irish Examiner
Ryanair says summer bookings remain strong, fares holding up
Ryanair is seeing strong demand across Europe with bookings ahead of last year, and is "reasonably optimistic" about hitting its summer targets, chief executive Michael O'Leary said. He also praised Boeing for agreeing to deliver some jets earlier than scheduled, ending a run of delays that have curbed Ryanair's growth rate. "We're seeing strong bookings through the peak summer months ... The fares are holding up," Mr O'Leary said, adding bookings were about 1% ahead of the same point last year. He repeated a forecast from July that average fares were likely to recover almost all of a 7% decline seen in the July-September quarter last year, when Ryanair was hit by consumer caution and a dispute with some online travel agents. Hitting the summer target will depend on close-in bookings for the remainder of the airline's key second quarter, which ends on September 30, he said. There has been no sign of consumers changing their plans due to heatwaves this summer, Mr O'Leary added. But he warned US tariffs would ultimately act as a drag on global growth. "I think everybody is cautious at the moment, and we're right to be cautious," he said. Boeing, which is due to deliver the final 29 aircraft of Ryanair's current order of 737 MAX jets this winter, has agreed to deliver seven jets in August and seven in September, ahead of an earlier-agreed schedule. "Boeing are doing a terrific job," Mr O'Leary said. He was speaking in Tirana, where he announced a doubling of capacity to four million passengers per year with the basing of three aircraft at the airport from next April. He described Albania as a hidden jewel of the Adriatic. Ryanair, Europe's largest airline by passengers, also announced plans to increase capacity serving Sweden by 25% for this winter, adding eight new routes, after the country scrapped its aviation tax at the beginning of last month. That will add to pressure on local rivals such as SAS and Norwegian Air. Ryanair chief marketing officer Dara Brady called on Sweden also to freeze airport charges and potentially offer additional incentives for growth, saying this could allow Ryanair to double its Swedish traffic by 2030. "The market is well capable of growing significantly here over the next number of years," Mr Brady told a news conference. Reuters
