Ryanair warns of sharp rise in airfares in 2026

The European air travel market is entering a period of rising ticket prices. Find out why Ryanair is forecasting faster growth in airfares in 2026 and what this means for passengers

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Ryanair, Europe's largest low-cost airline, is seeing accelerated growth in airfares in early 2026. According to the company, ticket prices are already rising faster than last year, and previous forecasts of moderate fare growth are no longer relevant.

This is stated in the airline's financial report, published on Ryanair's official corporate website.

How Ryanair ticket prices rose at the end of 2025

In Ryanair's third financial quarter, which ended at the end of December 2025, the average cost of a ticket rose by 4% compared to the same period a year earlier. In monetary terms, the average price of a flight was €44.

The company emphasizes that the price increase is steady and not exclusively linked to peak travel periods. Even without taking into account the traditional holiday demand during Easter, fares are showing more active growth than in 2025.

Forecast for 2026: expectations have changed

Ryanair has already revised its financial forecasts for fares for 2026. Whereas the airline previously expected prices to rise by 1-2%, it now forecasts an annual increase of around 7% in airfares.

Ryanair directly states that the trend toward higher flight costs has accelerated faster than planned and is likely to continue throughout the fiscal year.

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Why demand for flights continues to grow

Despite the fare increases, Ryanair expects passenger traffic to increase in fiscal year 2026. According to the company's forecasts, almost 208 million passengers will use the low-cost carrier's services, which is 4% more than in the previous year.

The airline cites the following key reasons for this growth:

● consistently high demand for air travel in Europe;

● faster-than-expected deliveries of new Boeing aircraft, allowing for an increase in the number of flights and routes.

These factors enable Ryanair to expand its flight network even amid a general increase in air travel costs.

Financial expectations and risk factors

Ryanair cautiously estimates its net profit for the 2026 financial year to be between €2.13 billion and €2.23 billion. At the same time, the company emphasizes that the final financial result may change significantly under the influence of external factors.

The airline cites the following as the main risks:

● the war in Ukraine;

● the tense geopolitical situation in the Middle East;

● general instability in the field of international transport.

These factors can affect both demand and the airline's operating costs.

What this means for passengers

Ryanair acknowledges that cheap tickets will remain available, but the overall trend is clear: in 2026, it will be more difficult to fly on a budget than before. Passengers will have to plan their trips more carefully, book tickets in advance, and take into account possible additional costs.

In view of this, the ability to quickly compare flight and ground transportation options is becoming increasingly important. For Ukrainians traveling in Europe, it is convenient to use the ticket booking system on Visit Ukraine, where you can select and book tickets for planes, trains, and buses in one place, choosing the optimal route in terms of price and travel time.

We remind you! Airlines are tightening hand luggage rules in 2026 due to security and flight delays. Read what has changed, what restrictions are in place, and how to prepare for a smooth journey.

Photo: Ryanair.com

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