Ryanair Slashes Passenger Traffic Goal Amid Boeing Delays

Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost airline, has once again revised its passenger traffic growth estimates due to ongoing Boeing 737 MAX delivery delays. The airline, which had previously cut its 2026 traffic target from 215 million to 210 million passengers in November, has now further reduced its forecast to 206 million passengers, representing just 3% growth. This reduction is a result of Boeing's inability to deliver sufficient aircraft ahead of the peak summer season, as well as the impact of a machinists' strike at Boeing in late 2024.

Ryanair's Chief Executive Officer, Michael O'Leary, stated that the airline is "disappointed" with the traffic growth outlook but remains hopeful that the remaining 29 aircraft in its 210-strong order will be delivered before March 2026. This would enable the airline to recover the delayed traffic growth in summer 2026 instead of summer 2025. O'Leary also expressed confidence in Boeing's expectation that the Max-10 will be certified in late 2025, facilitating the timely delivery of Ryanair's first 15 Max-10s in spring 2027 as contracted.



Ryanair's revised passenger traffic goals may influence its pricing strategy and ancillary revenue streams in the coming years. With the reduced passenger traffic growth, the airline may focus on maintaining its low-cost position while protecting fares and yields. Ryanair CFO Neil Sorahan has stated that the airline expects Q3 pricing to be slightly down on 2023, but not as much as Q2, indicating a moderation in yield declines. This suggests that Ryanair is trying to balance capacity and demand while maintaining its competitive advantage.

In conclusion, Boeing's delivery delays have forced Ryanair to revise its passenger traffic growth estimates for the third time in a year. While the airline remains optimistic about its long-term prospects, the ongoing delays may impact its market share and competitive position within the European low-cost airline industry. Ryanair's revised passenger traffic goals may influence its pricing strategy and ancillary revenue streams, encouraging a more cautious approach to pricing and a focus on maximizing ancillary revenue streams to offset any potential losses from lower passenger numbers.