Ryanair trims forecast for passenger numbers again on Boeing delays

Conor Humphries, Reuters

Ryanair reported after-tax profit for the three months to the end of December ahead of analyst forecasts on Monday, but Europe's largest low-cost carrier again trimmed its forecast for passenger numbers on Boeing delivery delays.

After tax-profit for the third quarter of Ryanair’s financial year was €149 million, well ahead of the €60 million profit forecast in a company poll of analysts.

That was mainly due to a better-than-expected 1 per cent increase in average fares in the quarter, compared to a fall of 7 per cent during the previous quarter, chief financial officer Neil Sorahan said.

Ryanair, which makes most of its profit during its summer season, said it was "cautiously guiding" after-tax profit for the 12 months to March 31st in a range of €1.55 billion to €1.61 billion.

Ryanair said it expects to take delivery of nine Boeing 737 MAX aircraft ahead of its peak summer season, fewer than expected, and as a result will cut its forecast for passenger numbers in the 12 months to March 31st, 2026, to 206 million from 210 million.

Sorahan, who recently returned from a trip to Boeing's production facilities in Seattle, said the delays were disappointing but that he had a "strong level of confidence," that the nine aircraft would arrive on time.