Ryanair said it is braced for “the most challenging year” in its 35-year history and expects to post a full-year loss of nearly €1 billion.
The Dublin-based low-cost carrier said coronavirus continues to “wreak havoc across the industry” and is “cautiously guiding” a net loss this year of between €850 million and €950 million.”
However, the airline said it would be in a position where it could “capitalise on the many growth opportunities” after the pandemic, “especially where competitor airlines have substantially cut capacity or failed”.
The company announced third-quarter losses of €307 million on Monday, adding that in the three months to December, 8.1 million passengers used Ryanair, compared to 35.9 million in the same quarter in 2019.
The loss for the quarter contrasts with an €88 million profit after tax in the same period a year before.
Compared with the same quarter in 2019, revenue fell 82 per cent from €1.91 billion to €0.34 billion, and operating costs also fell 63 per cent from €1.81 billion to €0.67 billion.
The firm said: “As we look beyond the Covid-19 crisis, and vaccinations roll out, the Ryanair Group expects to have a much lower cost base and a strong balance sheet, which will enable it to fund lower fares and add lower-cost aircraft to capitalise on the many growth opportunities that will be available in all markets across Europe, especially where competitor airlines have substantially cut capacity or failed.”
