Details
Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary has warned that the airline could face fuel supply disruption in Europe by May and June if the war in Iran drags on.
Speaking to Sky News, O’Leary said Ryanair does not expect any immediate disruption before early May, but the risk would rise if the conflict continues. He said between 10% and 25% of the carrier’s fuel supplies could come under pressure during May and June.
The warning comes as jet fuel prices rise faster than crude oil. According to figures shared by the International Air Transport Association, jet fuel prices have doubled since the war began in late February, while Brent crude has risen by about 50% over the same period.
Ryanair has suspended 12 flights to Jordan because of the conflict, but O’Leary said fuel remains the more urgent issue for the airline. The carrier has hedged about 80% of its fuel costs through next March, leaving roughly 20% exposed to further price increases.
Even so, O’Leary said he does not expect widespread flight cancellations. He said most of Europe’s jet fuel is sourced from the United States, western Africa, and Norway, although some suppliers remain more reliant on the Middle East.
Ryanair, Europe’s largest airline group by passenger numbers, carried more than 200 million passengers last year. O’Leary said the airline intends to keep expanding despite the crisis.
He also said the conflict is already reshaping travel demand. Families that may have planned trips to the Middle East, or flights passing over the region, are instead rebooking holidays in Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Greece for the Easter break. He said summer plans have not yet shifted in a major way, but that could change if the war continues.
O’Leary added that travelers should book early as fares are likely to keep rising.
What Else
The next pressure points will be fuel availability in May and June, and whether the conflict starts to reshape summer travel demand across Europe. Airlines will also be watching whether higher fuel costs feed more sharply into ticket prices.
