Ryanair considers pay freezes and reducing crew on flights as fuel costs soar

Ryanair is exploring cost-cutting strategies due to rising fuel costs linked to the Middle East conflict, including pay freezes and reduced crew numbers. The airline anticipates a significant increase in ticket prices across Europe, with its own fuel expenses projected to rise by €2 billion in the next financial year. CEO Michael O’Leary noted that unless the conflict resolves quickly, jet fuel prices will likely remain high into 2027. Ryanair is also increasing its use of AI to enhance operational efficiency. Despite a slight decline in average fares, passenger numbers rose by 5% year on year, with a post-tax profit of €1.61 billion reported for the last quarter.