Low-cost carrier Ryanair said on September 16 that it had boosted passenger traffic growth for five years after shareholders approved the company’s post-COVID recovery plan.
so statement, An Irish carrier said it expects a “faster increase in traffic” by 2026, raising its five-year growth forecast from the previous estimate of 33% to 50%.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the company had 149 million passengers, but is now expected to exceed 225 million by March 2026, a previous goal. It exceeds 200 million people by 25 million people a year.
Growth will be driven by the delivery of 210 new Boeing 737 Max jets over the next five years. However, the plan is not adversely affected by COVID and vaccination levels remain at 90% across Europe.
August, EU Chief Ursula von der Aleien Said Currently, 70% of adults in the European Union are fully vaccinated with COVID-19, which is equivalent to 250 million people.
Ryanair said the Boeing 737 Max jet “enables Ryanair by reducing emissions at the lowest cost in the industry.” [to] As opportunities open up at primary and secondary airports across Europe, it will accelerate post-Covid growth, especially if legacy carriers fail or the fleet size shrinks as a result of Covid and State Aid. “
The company also plans to open 10 new locations throughout Europe in 2021 to recover traffic and boost jobs previously lost in the COVID-19 pandemic.
It also takes advantage of opportunities open by competing airlines such as easyJet, flyby, Pegasus Airlines and Lufthansa Group, which are suffering from collapse and a significant reduction in fleet size in a pandemic after a plunge in air traffic levels. increase.
“The performance of the B737 game changer aircraft this summer exceeded our expectations. Operational reliability, fuel consumption, and CO2 emission reductions have so far exceeded the guidelines and these new Passenger and crew feedback on a more fuel-efficient, quieter aircraft is very positive, “said Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary.
Ryanair also plans to create 5,000 jobs for pilots, cabin crew and engineers over the next five years. This means regaining the 3,000 workers who announced they would be fired at the start of the pandemic.
Earlier this week, Ryanair opened a € 50 million ($ 42.54 million) aviation training center in Dublin and plans to open two more in Spain and Poland between now and 2026.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the European aviation and tourism industry unprecedented. Only Ryan Air has taken advantage of this crisis to significantly increase aircraft orders and expand partnerships with airports. We have reduced operating costs and made it possible to give guests even cheaper fares, which allows us to work with our airport partners to make a strong recovery. Traffic from the COVID pandemic over the next five years. And work will grow more than expected, “added O’Leary.
However, for airlines that want to return to some sort of new normal state after a pandemic, customers can expect significant increases in ticket costs, even for short-haul flights across Europe.
“I think the price will rise in October and Christmas. Next summer, the price will be around 20, so I think it will be significantly higher than before COVID. [percent] There is less capacity in the short-haul market across Europe, “said O’Leary. Told Reuters On thursday.
