IRISH no-frills carrier Ryanair on today announced a large reduction in annual net losses as the aviation sector recovered from pandemic lockdowns.

Loss after tax dropped to €355 million (RM1.63 billion) in the 12 months to the end of March, compared with a net loss of €1 billion in its previous financial year. 

“This recovery, however, remains fragile” following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, chief executive Michael O’Leary said in a statement.

“Given the continuing risk of adverse news flows on” Ukraine and Covid, “it is impractical – if not impossible – to provide a sensible or accurate profit guidance range at this time,” he added.

While Ryanair expects cost increases as a result of surging oil prices fuelled by the war, it hopes “to return to reasonable profitability” in its current financial year.

It forecast passenger traffic of 165 million in its current year, compared with a pre-pandemic level of 149 million.

The airline carried more than 97 million passengers last year compared with 27.5 million during the previous 12 months period when the pandemic struck.

Group revenue almost tripled to €4.8 billion last year as travel demand recovered. – AFP, May 16, 2022.