Ryanair warns that if jet-fuel costs stay high, airfares on short-haul routes across Europe will rise, and some rival airlines may struggle to survive. The carrier’s chief executive and senior figures link the warning to elevated oil prices that keep pressure on airline costs and profitability.
The outlets report Ryanair says pricing could “increase materially” if high oil prices persist into next year, with some estimating impacts into the 2025/2026 period. The Guardian and others add that Ryanair is adjusting its planning: it cuts its annual passenger target to reduce exposure to “unhedged winter oil,” referring to the risks of fuel purchased without hedging during a typically weaker off-season.
Several sources also connect the fuel-price environment to ongoing Middle East tensions, which are described as keeping Brent crude above key thresholds. While most coverage focuses on the potential for fare increases and industry stress, the specific emphasis differs: some outlets highlight the risk to competitors collapsing, while others focus on Ryanair’s internal target reduction and uncertainty around second-half pricing.
