Nov 04, V7N- Ryanair has revised its passenger growth forecast downward for the fiscal year ending in March 2026, now targeting 210 million passengers instead of the previously expected 215 million. This reduction is primarily due to delays in Boeing's delivery of new 737 MAX aircraft, exacerbated by a strike impacting production at Boeing's West Coast facilities. Ryanair CFO Neil Sorahan mentioned that of the 29 planes initially scheduled for delivery by next summer, only around 15 are now expected—a figure still at risk due to ongoing issues at Boeing. Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary expressed frustration with these delays, calling them "a pain in the backside."
 
Ryanair reported a 1.79 billion euro ($1.95 billion) after-tax profit for the six months ending September, an 18% drop from last year, with average fares falling by 10% amid weak demand over the summer. However, O'Leary noted a moderation in this fare weakness, projecting that fares for the current quarter will be "modestly lower" compared to the same period last year. Forward bookings remain strong, and Sorahan indicated that fare reductions in the third quarter would likely be less than 5%, with potential support from constrained market capacity and possibly lower interest rates in the future.
 
Shares of Ryanair dipped by 3.1% following the announcement, reflecting investor concerns over the passenger growth revision. Meanwhile, Boeing shares rose 3.5% last Friday amid optimism that the strike, which has severely affected Boeing's production and finances, may soon be resolved.
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