Ryanair raises profit outlook following record January bookings
Ryanair predicts a profit of up to €2.23 billion following record January bookings. The airline warned of modest fare growth and potential labor disputes.
Insights:
Ryanair Holdings plc announced on January 26, 2026, that it is raising its forecast for average fare growth and projecting a pre-exceptional after-tax profit of €2.13-2.23 billion for the year ending March 31, 2027. This represents growth of approximately one-third compared to the €1.6 billion earned in the prior year. The airline, which is the largest in Europe by passenger numbers, attributed the improved outlook to strong booking momentum after experiencing two of its best-ever weeks of bookings in January 2026.
Despite the upgraded guidance, shares of Ryanair Holdings plcwere down 3% at 1250 GMT. Analysts suggested that the market had priced in even stronger performance, as noted in a Citi report describing the results as strong but not quite matching high expectations. The profit guidance of €2.22 billion was in line with an LSEG poll of analysts, but the cautious tone regarding future fare growth and labor risks weighed on investor sentiment.
