Ryanair's O'Leary warns of record European airfare rises in 2027

On 1 October 2026, Michael O'Leary, chief executive of the Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair, warned that Europe would see the largest rise in airfares in its history over the following 12 months.

He predicted that fares would climb by roughly 10% to 20% in 2027. The warning came as airlines were facing sharply higher operating costs, with jet fuel among the main pressures on the industry.

O'Leary is known for blunt public statements, and Ryanair is Europe's largest airline by passenger numbers, so its outlook on pricing is closely watched by travellers, investors and rivals. His forecast suggested that higher costs would be passed on to passengers across the continent rather than absorbed by carriers.

The prediction became a reference point in the debate over travel costs. Later figures showing that flights from France cost 4.5% more than a year earlier, a record rise, were read as an early sign of the trend he had described.