- Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary holds London press briefing
- Airline will not introduce fuel surcharges
- Standard airfares may rise by 10pc to 15pc
- First 15 737 MAX 10 jets expected next spring
- O’Leary predicts further airline consolidation in Europe
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has held a press briefing in London to address the airline’s latest operations strategy and pricing outlook. O’Leary confirmed that Ryanair will not introduce fuel surcharges despite ongoing volatility in rising global jet fuel prices. He noted that standard airfares will likely need to rise by 10pc to 15pc to absorb operational pressures. The briefing follows a period of scrutiny for the chief executive who issued a formal apology on 18 September for controversial remarks made during a previous Dublin briefing.
O’Leary stated that most airlines were well hedged into the summer of 2026 and therefore absorbed the shock of higher oil prices this summer. He predicted that none of the airlines will be able to absorb those much higher oil prices next year and it will get passed on in the form of fuel surcharges or higher airfares. Ryanair will not levy a fuel surcharge but the legacy carriers certainly will next summer according to O’Leary. He stated he very much hopes that jet fuel prices will rise faster into next year because that will accelerate the extent to which other airlines will fail.
O’Leary also stated that Ryanair expects to receive its first 15 737 MAX 10 jets next spring with certification of the aircraft due in the next few weeks. Ryanair ordered 150 MAX 10s in 2023 with options for another 150. The airline already operates high-density 737 MAX 8s.
Michael O’Leary, Ryanair Group CEO, shared: “Most of the airlines were well hedged into the summer of 2026, and therefore we absorb the kind of shock of the much higher oil prices this summer. None of us will be able to absorb those much higher oil prices next year, and it will get passed on in the form of fuel surcharges on higher airfares. Ryanair will not levy a fuel surcharge, but the legacy guys certainly will next summer. I very much hope that jet fuel prices will rise faster into next year because that will accelerate the extent to which other airlines will fail. Airlines who are currently loss-making will fail. It will accelerate the consolidation of Europe into four large airlines: BA, Lufthansa, Air France and Ryanair.”
