Ryanair: air fares in 2027 could rise by double digits

Irish airline Ryanair has warned that flying will cost more next year. The warning came with its financial results for the first half of its financial year, the six months to the end of September 2026.

Why fares will rise

The main reason is higher aviation fuel costs linked to the conflict in the Middle East. Ryanair said that if the conflict is not resolved quickly, fuel prices will stay high, which would mean noticeably higher fares in summer 2027.

The airline hedged 80% of its fuel needs in advance, but the cost of the rest has risen significantly. According to Polish media, its fuel bill is set to rise by €2bn (about £1.6bn) in the short term. Chief executive Michael O’Leary stood by his earlier assessment that a 20% rise in fares would be needed to cover these costs.

He did not promise it would be that high, however. "I'm not sure we will reach 20%. But you should certainly expect double-digit rises in fares across Europe in 2027," O'Leary said. He added that this applies to all carriers.

Results and company plans

Ryanair's profit before tax fell by 16% in the period, to €2.4bn. The main cause was a 15% rise in fuel costs. Bankier.pl reports net profit of €2.15bn, 15% lower than a year earlier.

The airline is also considering a temporary pay freeze, although no final decision has been made. It is also set to slow down hiring and make wider use of artificial intelligence in administration. Oliver Richardson of the Unite union said the union had not been told of any such proposals and is covered by a multi-year pay agreement that also runs through next year.

Fewer flights

Ryanair has already cut the number of flights in its winter season and signalled further cuts. In O'Leary's view, capacity restrictions on short-haul routes will last until summer 2027.

What this means for you

People who fly regularly to Poland or elsewhere in Europe should expect higher fares in summer 2027, including with other airlines. However, Ryanair has not given prices or rates for specific routes, and the scale of the rises remains an estimate. Booking earlier may be the more cautious choice, although the sources do not say that fares are already rising.