- Ryanair Operating “Full Schedule” to Greece Amid Evacuations, Reports Quadrupling of Profits
- No Increase in Flight Cancellations Due to Record-Breaking Heatwave in Southern Europe
- Other Airlines Cancel Flights to Rhodes, Ryanair Remains Cautiously Optimistic Despite Delivery Delays
Europe’s largest airline by passenger count says it is closely monitoring the situation in Greece while reporting a quadrupling of first-quarter profits.
Ryanair reports that it is operating a “full schedule” to Greece, including the island of Rhodes, despite evacuation flights.
In addition to disclosing the airline’s first-quarter results, the company’s chief financial officer stated that there had been no increase in flight cancellations due to the record-breaking heatwave sweeping across southern Europe.
According to Neil Sorahan, Europe’s largest airline by passenger count has not deemed it necessary to add additional aircraft to the Greek island of Rhodes.
We’ll continue to fly in and out as long as it’s safe to do so and as long as the airports remain open, as we have several consumers who are eager to return home.
There have not been a large number of cancellations. We have seen several passengers attempting to rebook themselves on earlier flights out of the islands.”
As airlines and tour operators manage their schedules to better meet the needs of their consumers, he saw no need for additional evacuation flights at this time.
In the coming days, Jet2, TUI, and Correndon have all canceled flights to Rhodes.
Thomas Cook has canceled some upcoming vacations and is offering full refunds to other consumers.
Monday evening, easyJet’s two repatriation flights are scheduled to depart Rhodes.
Jet2 has also revealed plans for three additional flights from the island, including one on Tuesday.
Mr. Sorrehan was speaking as Corfu authorities began sea evacuations of vacationers.
As it reported a fourfold increase in profits for its first quarter – the three months ending in June – the company stated that it was closely monitoring the situation.
After-tax profits for Ryanair were €663 million (£573 million).
A record number of passengers were conveyed in May and June, while average fares increased by 42% compared to the same period last year.
The company remained cautiously optimistic about the future, despite acknowledging that there may be a need to reduce oil booking prices before the upcoming winter due to rising costs of living.
Due to ongoing delays in the delivery of new, more fuel-efficient aircraft from Boeing, the company reduced its passenger growth projections for the year ending March 2024 to 9%.
Mr. Sorahan told Reuters that the situation had recently improved, but that there were still delays, most of which were due to factors outside of Boeing’s control.
