UK/Stansted: Ryanair increases profits forecast and says it will increase new routes and frequencies at Stansted

Ryanair’s new routes and frequencies at Stansted and Dublin airports are due to increase “substantially” while there will be more investment to make routes attractive to business customers, the carrier said as it set out aggressive plans for expansion in Europe.

The budget airline raised its full-year profits guidance today after more than doubling first quarter earnings.

Chief executive Michael O’Leary said it was “overrun with growth offers” from airports on the continent as rivals scaled back operations.

But he warned against “irrational exuberance” as the second half of the financial year was likely to see downward pressure on fares as a result of competition and Ryanair’s increased capacity. Shares opened 5% higher.

Profits after tax for the Dublin-based carrier in the first quarter to June 30 were up 152% to 197 million euros (£156 million) though Mr O’Leary said this was distorted by the absence of Easter in the same period last year.

The carrier said more passengers, fuller flights and shaved costs meant full-year earnings were now expected at 620-650 million euros (£491-£514 million), up from 580-620 million euros (£459-£491 million).

For the first quarter, passenger numbers were up 4% to 24.3 million and they travelled on planes that were 86% full after a rise in load factor of 4%.

Revenues were up 11% to 1.34 billion euros (£1.06 billion) as fares rose 9%, boosted by a strong Easter period.

The carrier managed to raise “ancillary” revenues by 4% as reductions in airport and baggage fees were offset by a rising uptake of allocated seating.

Mr O’Leary said four new bases at Athens, Brussels, Lisbon and Rome were “performing strongly” with new bases due to open this winter at Cologne, Gdansk, Warsaw and Glasgow.

New routes and frequencies at Stansted and Dublin are due to increase “substantially” while there will be more investment to make routes attractive to business customers.

Mr O’Leary added: “We are overrun with growth offers from primary European airports whose incumbent flag and regional carriers continue to cut capacity and traffic.

“These new airports along with our existing 69 bases offer Ryanair significant growth opportunities as the first of our 180 new Boeing order delivers this September.”

A new business service will be launched in September to include same-day flight changes, bigger bag allowances, premium seat allocation and fast-track through security at many airports.

The carrier plans to return 520 million euros (£411 million) via a special dividend to shareholders in the fourth quarter.

Mr O’Leary said that, based on the first quarter results and forward bookings, it was clear the firm is on track for a strong first half.

“However we would strongly caution both analysts and investors against any irrational exuberance in what continues to be a difficult economic environment, with some company-specific challenges in H2,” he added.