Ryanair considers wage freeze and warns of significantly more expensive tickets

Ryanair plans to raise ticket prices by at least 10 percent and is considering a wage freeze to offset rising fuel costs driven by Middle Eastern conflicts. The airline reported a 16 percent drop in half-year profits as increased expenses continue to impact its financial performance.
Budget airline Ryanair is facing significant financial pressure due to surging fuel costs, which are expected to remain elevated until at least 2027. CEO Michael O'Leary has warned that ticket prices could rise by at least 10 percent to offset an estimated 2 billion euros in additional fuel expenses. To manage these costs, the airline is considering a wage freeze beginning next April and plans to restrict new hiring as current labor agreements expire.
Financial results for the first half of the fiscal year ending in September showed a 16 percent decline in pre-tax profits, dropping to 2.4 billion euros. This downturn is largely attributed to a 15 percent increase in fuel costs resulting from geopolitical instability in the Middle East, which has disrupted the supply of refined fuel. While the company had hedged 80 percent of its fuel needs, the remaining market exposure has proven costly. Meanwhile, the Unite union, representing a portion of the airline's workforce, stated that they have not been informed of any planned wage freezes.
Based on reporting by nu. Translated and condensed by LocalHeadlines.


