Photo: Ryanair European airline Ryanair today (Monday, January 26, 2026) published its financial report for the third quarter of the 2026 financial year, with a profit after tax of €115 million, compared to €149 million in the corresponding quarter last year.
During the quarter, passenger traffic rose 6% to 47.5 million. The average ticket price was €44, signaling a 4% rise compared to the corresponding period last year.
"We now expect FY26 traffic to grow 4% to almost 208m passengers (previously 207m), due to strong demand and earlier than expected Boeing deliveries.", says the report.
The company's total revenue also increased by 9% to €3.21 billion, while operating costs increased by approximately 6% to €3.11 billion (before one-time items).
The company's revenue per passenger increased by 3% in the quarter, thanks in part to higher ticket prices and stronger ancillary revenue. At the same time, the company has taken delivery of 206 Boeing 737-8200 “Gamechanger” aircraft in recent months, bringing its total fleet to 643. Ryanair has also continued to expand its operations, opening three new bases and adding more than 106 new routes ahead of the 2026 summer season.
Net profit after one-time items was €30 million, following a one-time charge of €85 million for a fine imposed by the Italian competition authority AGCM. The company intends to appeal the fine, arguing that it is unfounded and should be overturned in a higher court.
The reports show that the company’s balance sheet remains strong, with a BBB+ credit rating from Fitch and S&P, and €1 billion in net cash. In addition, the company is investing in debt repayment and a €750 million share buyback program, which is part of its policy to increase shareholder returns.
In its forecast for the rest of the financial year, Ryanair expects continued growth in passenger numbers to 208 million or more, alongside an expected price increase that exceeds the previous forecast of approximately 7%.
Recall that last week, Ryanair announced a dramatic reduction in its operations in Belgium, in which it will reduce approximately 2.2 million seats from its flight schedule at Charleroi Airport during the years 2026 and 2027. The decision was made in response to a sharp increase in passenger taxes in Belgium, and the company emphasized that the country's measures could lead the company to transfer routes to countries that encourage traffic such as Italy, Hungary and Sweden.