Ryanair Holdings plc – May 25, 2023

In the wake of the covid pandemic, the aviation industry has grappled with unprecedented challenges as it navigates toward recovery. Amid this turbulence, Ireland-based Ryanair, Europe’s largest low-cost carrier, has not only managed to stay afloat, but chart a course for robust growth, defying the odds stacked against the sector.

Making a name for itself by offering budget-friendly flights to a vast network of European destinations, it has revolutionized the way people travel within the region. The airline now operates a fleet of over 500 aircraft, delivering more than 3,000 daily flights, and connecting over 225 destinations across 36 countries.

Undergoing considerable expansion despite the industry downturn, Ryanair has shown agility in overcoming market obstacles. Employing an array of strategies, from substantial investment in new fuel-efficient aircraft to ambitious recruitment and training programs, management is navigating a long-term vision for the company.

Ryanair has also leveraged the structural changes in the European aviation market. With the unfortunate bankruptcy of several airlines during the pandemic, and the significant downsizing of others, the company seized upon the opportunity to expand its footprint. Consequently, Ryanair has grown its market share in several regions and opened new bases across the continent, to once again exceed pre-covid passenger volumes, and setting them apart in a recovering market that is still facing considerable headwinds.

With no signs of stopping, the airline has committed to buying new more fuel-efficient aircraft in the coming years, reflecting its continued ambition for expansion, which aims to increase annual traffic by more than 50% by 2026. In addition, it continues to expand its route network by identifying and capitalizing on untapped opportunities, such as underserved airports or emerging tourist destinations.

Founded by Irish businessman Tony Ryan in 1984, Ryanair initially started as a small airline operating a single 15-seater aircraft between Waterford, Ireland, and London Gatwick. In its early years, Ryanair struggled to gain a foothold in the market, facing intense competition from established carriers such as British Airways.

Yet in 1992, the European Union’s deregulation of the air industry in Europe gave carriers from one EU country the right to operate scheduled services between other EU states and created a major opportunity for Ryanair. By focusing on cost reduction and operational efficiency, Ryanair was able to offer significantly lower fares than its competitors, fueling rapid growth. By the end of the 1990s, the company had become one of Europe’s largest and most profitable low-cost carriers.

Throughout the 2000s, Ryanair continued to expand its route network, targeting secondary and regional airports to reduce costs further. The airline also invested in modern, fuel-efficient aircraft to maintain low operating costs and improve environmental performance. By 2012, the company had become Europe’s largest airline by passenger numbers, carrying over 79 million passengers annually.

Over the years, Ryanair has continuously refined and expanded its product offerings. The introduction of the “Always Getting Better” program in 2014 aimed to improve the customer experience by offering features such as allocated seating, a more user-friendly website, and enhanced in-flight services, as well as access to new complementary travel services including hotels and car hire.

Ryanair has also pursued strategic partnerships and acquisitions to strengthen its market position. In 2018, the airline acquired a 75% stake in Austrian low-cost carrier Laudamotion, later rebranded as Lauda Europe. This acquisition allowed Ryanair to expand its presence in the German-speaking markets and further diversify its route network.

Despite facing challenges such as fluctuating fuel prices, regulatory hurdles, and the covid pandemic, Ryanair has demonstrated remarkable resilience. The airline quickly adapted to the changing landscape by implementing cost-saving measures and focusing on maintaining liquidity. As a result, it has emerged from the pandemic in a stronger position than many of its competitors.

With the company since 1988, initially serving as chief operating officer, Michael O’Leary has been instrumental in Ryanair’s growth. In 1994, he took the helm as CEO and radically transformed the company by adopting the low-cost business model pioneered by Southwest Airlines. Under his leadership, the airline has become one of the most successful low-cost airlines in Europe.

Fellow company veteran Eddie Wilson is the CEO of Ryanair DAC, a subsidiary of the Ryanair Group. He joined the company in 1997 and has held various senior management positions, and is responsible for overseeing the operations and commercial aspects of the subsidiary. With a strong background in labor relations, he has been instrumental in forging relationships with the company’s employees and unions.

Ryanair has transformed the way people travel within Europe by providing affordable and efficient air transportation. The airline’s commitment to low fares and a no-frills approach has made it a popular choice among various customer segments.

At the heart of Ryanair’s services is its extensive network of budget-friendly flights with competitive fares that have made air travel accessible to a wider audience. While a range of additional services such as priority boarding, reserved seating, extra baggage allowance, and in-flight food and beverages, also appeal to those wanting more than a budget experience.

The company has introduced a range of complementary offerings including the “Ryanair Rooms” accommodation platform and “Ryanair Car Hire” services, providing customers with a more comprehensive travel solution. These can all be accessed on a user-friendly website and mobile app that allows customers to easily search for flights, book tickets, manage their bookings, and secure a variety of travel services.

The airline also offers Ryanair Travel Credit, a rewards program that gives customers credit for future bookings when they purchase flights, accommodations, or car rentals through the one platform.

Ryanair’s affordable fares have attracted leisure travelers, students, and families who seek cost-effective transportation options for their vacations or weekend getaways. The airline’s extensive route network, which includes popular tourist destinations and lesser-known gems, provides these customers with a range of choices for their travel plans.

In recent years, Ryanair has increasingly catered to the needs of business travelers with its add-on services and flexible ticket options. The airline’s vast network of short-haul flights within Europe makes it a convenient and cost-effective choice for professionals who need to travel frequently for work.

Ryanair has successfully navigated the challenges posed by the covid pandemic. Its focus on low-cost operations, strategic fleet investments, and significant expansion into new markets has allowed it to capitalize on the opportunities created by the bankruptcy of numerous airlines and the reduction in capacity by legacy carriers.

Amid a period when many airlines significantly scaled back their operations due to the pandemic, Ryanair has distinguished itself by operating at 115% of its pre-covid capacity by the summer of 2022. In addition to fully staffing its flights with pilots and cabin crew during the challenging time, it also maintained almost all of its scheduled flights, minimizing disruptions for its customers.

The airline has been opening new bases across Europe and extending low-cost base agreements with key airports. In the past 12 months, it opened 15 new bases in key markets including Ireland, Italy, Portugal, and central and eastern Europe. Moreover, it doubled its capacity at Rome, Lisbon, and Vienna airports, and based a record 33 aircraft in Dublin. The company’s New Routes team is continuously negotiating with more airports to facilitate growth over the next two to three years, ensuring that there are enough routes to accommodate new aircraft deliveries.

These deliveries will come as a result of the airline’s fleet expansion recently receiving an enormous boost with the company announcing the acquisition of approximately 140 new Boeing 737 “Gamechanger” aircraft over the next four years. The $40 billion investment into the fuel-efficient aircraft will not only help Ryanair achieve cost savings, but is expected to support a traffic increase from 149 million passengers pre-covid to over 225 million per annum by FY26.

The company’s focus on maintaining strong relationships with its employees and their unions has been essential for its ability to operate at pre-covid capacity. Ryanair has actively recruited and trained pilots, cabin crew, and engineers throughout the pandemic to ensure that they are fully crewed and able to minimize delays and disruptions. Furthermore, by working closely with airports to offer the lowest fares possible, Ryanair aims to make air travel even more accessible and affordable, in turn contributing to its own growth.

Ryanair has been soaring through a significant phase of growth in recent years, adapting its strategies and strengthening its position in the post-pandemic era. This upward momentum has persisted into FY23, with revenues for the first three quarters of the year rising more than 118% to $9.135 billion. The surge in revenues can be largely attributed to strong pent-up travel demand.

Ryanair also continues to gain ground in terms of cost efficiency. Despite the surge in revenue, coupled with higher fuel costs and crew pay restoration, selling costs increased a far more modest 81%. As a result, the cost of selling as a percentage of total revenue improved dramatically from 82% to just 68% when comparing the nine-month periods year-over-year. Consequently, the airline has recorded a substantial profit of $1.47 billion for the year to date. This figure dramatically contrasts with the loss of $171.7 million recorded in the same period of FY22.

Also of particular note, is that Ryanair’s balance sheet is one of the strongest in the industry, featuring €4.07 billion gross cash at the end of the quarter. In addition, with almost all of its fleet of B737s owned and approximately 96% unencumbered, it appears well-placed to manage rising interest rates and leasing costs that its competitors might face.

Looking ahead, consensus estimates have Ryanair closing out 2023 with total sales of $11.63 billion for year-over-year growth of more than 132%. While full-year earnings per share are also forecasted to take off dramatically from a $1.63 loss per share in 2022 to an enormous $6.48 in 2023.

The competitive environment for Ryanair is intense and multifaceted, influenced by the broader aviation industry’s structural trends and significant regional specifics. Fluctuating fuel prices, regulatory changes, and more recently, the global covid pandemic, have presented complex challenges for all airlines. Major competitors of Ryanair include other budget airlines such as easyJet, Wizz Air, and Vueling, as well as traditional airlines like British Airways, Lufthansa, and Air France. These companies compete on everything from ticket pricing and network coverage to customer service and ancillary services.

However, with the primary battleground for low-cost carriers like Ryanair being price, these airlines are consistently engaged in a race to provide the most competitive fares. This means maintaining cost efficiency is of paramount importance. Ryanair distinguishes itself in this competitive landscape with a strong focus on the operational efficiency of its fleet, which is largely made up of a single aircraft type. The Boeing 737 enables savings in terms of maintenance, training, and operational complexity. The planes are also typically configured to maximize passenger capacity, translating to the lowest cost per seat in the market.

Despite navigating a tumultuous period in the aviation industry, Ryanair’s strategic approach to cost efficiency and market expansion has yielded impressive results. With substantial revenue growth, a strong balance sheet, and a bullish outlook, the airline is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory.