Ryanair: Traffic up 8% in March

Ryanair reported a significant increase in business in March, with passenger numbers up 8% on the previous year. The airline was able to efficiently transport 13.6 million passengers during the month, surpassing the 12.6 million of the previous March. Despite this increase in traffic, the airline's load factor managed to maintain an impressive 93%.

Ryanair operated over 77,000 flights during the month. Nevertheless, it was forced to cancel some 950 flights due to tensions in the Israel-Gaza region. The company has clarified its request to reopen Terminal 1 at Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion airport, which has been closed since October 7. The current structure of Terminal 3, the only one in service, generates additional costs that are incompatible with Ryanair's expectations, due to high airport taxes.

Furthermore, Ryanair's fleet will not be expanding as planned in the immediate future. The company is facing delivery delays for its 737 MAX 8-200 model, a high-capacity version of the 737 MAX 8, reducing its delivery forecast to 40 aircraft for the year instead of the 57 expected. Ryanair is still awaiting delivery of 74 Boeing 737 MAX200s, part of a global order for 300 MAX-10s, 150 of which are optional.

In a move to broaden its offer, Ryanair also announced on April 2 a partnership with eSky, a well-known online travel agency in Central and Eastern Europe. This new agreement enables eSky to offer its customers Ryanair flights, seats and baggage options, on condition that it does not impose surcharges on the airline's products.

Source: Air Journal