Ryanair and Wizz Air take pleasure in document August passenger numbers

Ryanair and Wizz Air achieved record passenger demand last month as people shrugged off cost-of-living pressures to enjoy foreign holidays.

A total of 20.5 million people travelled with Dublin-based Ryanair in August, an 8 per cent increase on the same month in 2023.

Meanwhile, Wizz Air revealed its customer levels tipped up 1 per cent to 6.2 million in August despite engine troubles impacting capacity levels.

Record demand: A total of 20.5 million people travelled with Dublin-based Ryanair in August, an 8 per cent increase on the same month in 2023

Aerospace manufacturer Pratt & Whitney began recalling thousands of its geared turbofan engines last year amid concerns over contaminated metal parts.

Wizz Air’s founder and chief executive, Joszef Varadi, warned four months ago that engine problems could continue to affect the Hungarian firm for at least two years.

But although the matter has forced Wizz Air to temporarily ground some planes, it has still flown 62.1 million people on a 12-month rolling basis, a 9.6 per cent year-on-year jump.

Ryanair has flown 192 million over the same period, compared to 177.4 million over the prior year. 

In July, Ryanair said it anticipated airfares would be ‘materially lower’ this summer owing to more ‘frugal’ behaviour by consumers.

More recently, its chief executive, Michael O’Leary, predicted the firm’s ticket prices would be 5 per cent down over the peak quarter from July to September.

He has also urged the new Labour Government to axe air passenger duty (APD) and for the European Commission to improve air traffic control (ATC) services to help boost the airline sector. 

The outspoken boss said abolishing APD would help Ryanair reach its target of boosting UK traffic to 65 million customers annually and creating 1,000 new jobs for UK pilots, cabin crew, and engineers by 2030. 

In late August, Ryanair announced four new London routes – Dubrovnik [Croatia], Linz [Austria], Reggio [Italy], and Sarajevo [Bosnia and Herzegovina] – from London Stansted this upcoming winter. 

Europe’s largest airline is also reportedly considering launching a package holidays business even though O’Leary has long opposed the idea.

Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets at Hargreaves Lansdown, said Ryanair ‘will be looking to emulate EasyJet’s success’ if it starts offering all-inclusive vacations.

She added: ‘Targeting family and couples’ breaks may also be seen as a way of moving away from the big drinking stag dos and singles trips, given the increased disruption excessive alcohol has been causing for Ryanair.’ 

Ryanair shares were 0.8 per cent up at €15.86, while Wizz Air Holdings shares were 0.85 per cent lower at £12.77 on early Tuesday afternoon.