Ryanair CEO: Summer flights? Hesitate and pay more. Wizz Air may collapse this winter

Ryanair is bolstering its presence at Bratislava Airport with the addition of a fourth Boeing 737-800 aircraft and a new route to Turin, Italy. The expansion was personally announced by Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary during a press conference in Bratislava.

The new route to Turin will operate twice weekly, on Mondays and Saturdays, starting October 26. This move signifies Ryanair's continued commitment to the Slovakian market.

Addressing concerns about potential flight cancellations and price hikes due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, O'Leary projected confidence. He stated that Ryanair is in a stable financial position, allowing it to potentially lower ticket prices further compared to competitors like Wizz Air and Easyjet. However, he cautioned that while Ryanair is reducing prices for June, July, and September to stimulate bookings, last-minute purchases might see increased costs due to anticipated high demand.

O'Leary also reassured attendees about fuel supply stability. He explained that Ryanair has secured fuel at a fixed price of $67 per barrel until March 2027, significantly lower than the current market price of $159 per barrel. This arrangement, he noted, was made possible through discussions with various suppliers, including those in North Africa, North America, Norway, and Russia, alleviating earlier concerns about potential shortages.