Ryanair’s Boss Says Next Summer’s Fares Could Jump by a Fifth

Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary has warned that fares on some routes could rise by as much as 20 percent next summer. Speaking at the Airlines for Europe conference in Brussels on October 8, he called the current fuel situation a full-blown crisis and said carriers will have to pass higher costs on to passengers. For anyone planning a 2027 European trip, the message is to look at prices sooner rather than later.

O’Leary expects jet fuel to stay near today’s levels for 12 to 18 months. He estimates it is about 50 percent higher than when the US-Iran conflict began on February 28, although the airline trade body IATA’s fuel monitor suggests prices are closer to double their pre-conflict level. Europe has seen the fastest increase of any region over the past year, according to that data.

The pressure may grow in the new year. Airlines whose fuel hedges expire at the end of 2026 will pay market prices from January 2027, and those with thinner hedging for next year face rising costs. Ryanair itself pulled out of 19 European airports in the first half of 2026 to concentrate on its most financially sustainable routes.

Other carriers are already trimming schedules. EasyJet announced another round of winter cuts, and Wizz Air confirmed a 5 percent reduction in capacity. Fewer seats and higher costs are a combination that usually supports higher prices, which is why O’Leary’s forecast carries weight beyond a single airline.

Sources: Travel Radar, Travel Radar