No more 10 euro flight tickets, says Ryanair CEO
In the coming years Ryanair will no longer be able to offer tickets at absolute bottom prices, such as 0.99 or 9.99 euros. This was said by Michael O'Leary, CEO of the Irish low-cost airline, in a radio interview with the British BBC.
Advertisements for flights at rock bottom prices are typical for Ryanair. But rising fuel prices mean Ryanair will no longer be able to offer them. "Our really cheap promotional fares - from one euro, 0.99 euro or even 9.99 euro, I don't think you will see them again in the next few years," O'Leary said.
He expects the average ticket price to rise by about 10 euros in the next five years, from about 40 euros to 50 euros by 2027. Yet O'Leary does not think the number of customers will decrease. He even thinks that travellers will become more price-sensitive and will opt en masse for low-cost alternatives.
Ryanair came in the news recently when employees in several countries staged strikes, including Belgium. Organisers asked for a less demanding work schedule and pay increases. As a result, the Irish airline was forced to scrap around 70 flights to and from the Brussels and Charleroi airports.
(TOM)
© BELGA PHOTO ERIC LALMAND