While traffic grew 7% to 37.6 million, “overcapacity in Europe and the earlier timing of Easter” led to a 4% decline in average fares, the airline said, adding that higher fuel and staff costs offset strong ancillary revenue growth in the quarter. Profit fell to €319 million.
Michael O’Leary, Ryanair chief executive, said: “Traffic grew 7% to 37.6m, despite over 2,500 flight cancellations caused by ATC (air traffic control) staff shortages and ATC strikes. Ryanair’s lower fares delivered an industry leading 96% load factor.”
