Ryanair obtained a net profit of 170 million euros in its first fiscal quarter, from April to June, compared to losses of 273 million euros in the same period of 2021, still impacted by the covid pandemic. However, profits still remain below the 243 million euros that the low cost company achieved in the same period of 2019, before the pandemic.
Ryanair also reported in a statement a 461% increase in the number of passengers, from 8.1 million to 45.5 million, although it noted that the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February had a negative impact on bookings and fares. of Holy Week. Likewise, it registered an increase of 602% of its income, up to 2,600 million euros.
The CEO of the airline, Michael O'Leary, pointed out that this summer they are operating 73 Boeing 737 Gamechanger, which can offer 4% more seats, which allows a saving of 16% in fuel use, according to Efe reports. .
He also indicated that Ryanair plans to create around 6,000 jobs by 2026. In the next three years, the forecast is to expand its training centers with the investment of more than one hundred million in two facilities, one of them in the Iberian peninsula. He also assured that since the beginning of the recovery after the pandemic, the airline has negotiated “quickly” with its unions to eliminate the salary cuts agreed upon due to the arrival of the disease.
"To date, agreements have been reached for salary restoration with unions that represent approximately more than 80% of our pilots and 70% of our cabin crew in Europe," defended O'Leary, just the same day as in Spain A new week of cabin crew strike began. The strike yesterday caused the cancellation of 11 flights, 9 of them in El Prat, and 227 delays. It has been summoned by USO and Sitcpla, to demand a collective agreement "that includes decent working conditions and under Spanish law."
While in Spain EasyJet staff are expected to join the Ryanair strike starting Friday, a new conflict has broken out in Germany. Lufthansa ground staff will hold a strike tomorrow, Wednesday, to ask for a 9.5% pay rise, which will add to the interruptions that travelers are experiencing in the summer season.
Strikes and staff shortages have already forced airlines, including Lufthansa, to cancel thousands of flights and led to hours-long queues at major airports, frustrating tourists hoping to travel after Covid-induced lockdowns. Lufthansa called the strike "incomprehensible" and said it will be a burden for both passengers and staff beyond the strike.
