Ryanair to cut winter schedule to trim oil costs
The airline said it expected the 'one-off winter schedule cut' to reduce its winter losses by €70 million to €100 million.
Ryanair has announced it will reduce its winter flight schedule to cope with rising oil costs, as the airline faces higher fuel expenses due to the US-Iran war. The Irish no-frills carrier, which is Europe's biggest by client numbers, lowered its passenger target for the fiscal year ending April 2027 from 216 million to 214 million.
Ryanair explained that this strategic move aims to lessen its exposure to unhedged jet fuel during the typically unprofitable winter season. The airline, primarily operating across Europe, typically records losses from November to March as demand declines post-summer. Ryanair anticipates that this one-time reduction in winter schedule will trim its winter losses by €70 million to €100 million.
Additionally, the company warned that European short-haul fares will increase significantly if high oil prices persist through summer 2027. While Ryanair has secured most of its jet fuel for the current financial year at around US$67 per barrel, well below current prices, the airline still expects its net profit to fall short of the €2.17 billion achieved in 2025/26, despite being on track for a profitable 2026/27.
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