Ryanair surpasses 200 million passengers, but earns more from carry-on baggage than airfare

There is a date that will remain in European aviation history: The year in which Ryanair carried more than 200 million passengers.

No one has ever succeeded before on our continent. Yet, in a world that goes faster and faster (and where we occasionally get grounded for lack of planes), the final balance is in the dark.

Yes, because the Irish giant reported a profit of 1.61 billion - not bad, but down from the previous year. Why? Tickets cost a little less on average, flights increased, but between wars, strikes and delayed Boeings, the company flew at full speed--but with some turbulence in the cockpit.

Ryanair today: a 200 million passenger machine

Anyone who has flown in Europe in the past year has probably come across a Ryanair plane. With more than 3,600 flights per day, the company is now a permanent presence in the continent's skies, from major capitals to secondary airports. And with nearly 620 aircraft in the fleet, the plan is to grow further.

But there is a small obstacle: Boeing struggles to deliver new aircraft. This has forced Ryanair to slow down its expansion plans somewhat. The forecast for 2025 is "only" 206 million passengers, a modest growth compared to the pace it has accustomed us to.

Tickets? They cost a little less, but...

Last year, flying with Ryanair cost. on average 7% less. Not bad for passengers, but less margin for the company. Making up for it were the famous "extras": luggage, reserved seats, priority boarding, snacks and so on. The extras business is increasingly central, and Ryanair does it like few others: it has grossed More than 4.7 billion from these services alone.

An increasingly "green" (and quieter) company

There is also a "greener" face of the Irish low-cost. The planes of the "Gamechanger" family. consume less fuel, make less noise, and have more seats on board. Ryanair has already received 181 of them and has begun to Modernize even older ones with special winglets To reduce emissions.

Those who think flying low cost means polluting more, in short, might be surprised: according to several rankings, Ryanair is among the most environmentally efficient airlines in Europe.

Summer 2025? Lots of demand, rising prices

For those who are already planning next year's vacation, there is a clear signal: demand for summer 2025 is very strong, and prices are coming back up. After a year with very aggressive fares, the company hopes to regain some margin.

So the usual golden advice applies: book in advance, because last minute and low cost almost never go together.

In summary

Ryanair continues to fly high, albeit with some market turbulence. Growth, record numbers, an eye on the environment, and a portfolio that is always striving to find the balance between low prices and profits.

And if in 2034 the plan is to get to 300 million passengers per year, we can rest assured that the battle for the European sky is still to be played out.

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