European air fares could rise by as much as 20% in 2027, Ryanair boss predicts

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary warned European airfares may rise 10-20% in the next year due to higher fuel costs and reduced seat availability. Ryanair has hedged 80% of fuel through March 2027 at $67/barrel and 15% for next year at $85/barrel, while spot prices are about double. The company will cut 20 routes and 1 million seats from Belgium due to a tax increase. O'Leary also mentioned potential Boeing 737 MAX 10 deliveries in early 2027, depending on U.S. certification.

Ryanair is being offered a £67m grant to establish an engine maintenance facility in Northern Ireland, potentially creating 600 jobs. The subsidy includes £30m from the NI Enhanced Investment Zone, £10m from the Department for the Economy, and £27m from the UK government. Ryanair plans to bring engine maintenance in-house at two facilities starting in 2029, with Northern Ireland competing against Spain and Poland for one location.

The European Court of Justice ruled that 'grandfathered slots' for airlines are not absolute and can be restricted in cases of insufficient capacity. This affects airlines like Ryanair and Aer Lingus operating flights between Dublin and Spain. The ruling creates uncertainty about future flight frequencies, despite no immediate impact on current bookings. Ryanair seeks to remove passenger limits, while the Irish government plans to review capacity by 2026.

Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary expressed optimism that the Boeing 737 MAX 10 will receive US certification by the end of October, allowing the airline to take delivery of 16 planes in early 2027. The US FAA previously delayed certification due to a software issue, which Boeing is working to resolve.

Ryanair renewed calls to abolish Dublin International's 32 million passenger-per-year cap after a CJEU ruling. The airline argues the cap is outdated, as Dublin handled over 32 million passengers in 2024 and expects 36 million in 2026. Ryanair claims the cap restricts route development and competition, and warns of potential impacts on Ireland's international connectivity. The Irish government has not yet acted on legislation passed in 2026 to remove the cap.

The EU Court ruled that Dublin Airport's 32M passenger cap must be considered in flight slot allocations, potentially affecting airlines like Ryanair and Aer Lingus. The decision does not immediately cancel flights, but future slot allocations may be impacted. The Irish High Court will resolve the underlying legal dispute.