Ryanair reports average fare down 7pc to €46.42 in 2024
Michael O’Leary is set to secure €100m in share options if Ryanair’s shares continue their upward trajectory and the airline meets specific performance targets.
O’Leary indicated he may remain as chief executive of Ryanair beyond 2028, when his current contract expires and he will be 67.
Despite a 16pc drop in net profits to €1.6bn for the financial year ending March 2025, Ryanair reported a 9pc increase in passenger numbers to 200.2m, with average fares down 7pc.
Ryanair’s share price has remained above €21 since May 2, contributing to positive investor sentiment and further increasing the likelihood of O’Leary meeting his performance targets.
The share options O’Leary expects to secure require the airline to maintain specific share price levels for 28 consecutive days or achieve annual profits of €2.2bn before 2028.
Mr O’Leary shared: “I think we’re delivering exceptional value for Ryanair shareholders in an era when premiership footballers and managers are getting paid £20m and £25m a year. My contract runs out in 2028 and there’ll have to be some discussion I presume with the board… as to how my remuneration will be fixed from 2028 onwards, if they want me to stay on after 2028. The options don’t vest until 2028… I accept there is a possibility we might achieve the performance target either later this month or later this year.”
