Holidaymakers hoping for a winter escape have been dealt a major blow as Ryanair announces a massive cut to its flight schedule. The budget carrier is slashing nearly one million seats from its autumn and winter timetable, a move set to send ripples across the travel industry.
Boeing Delays Ground Ryanair's Plans
The drastic reduction is a direct consequence of further delays in aircraft deliveries from Boeing. Ryanair had been anticipating 57 new Boeing 737 «gamechanger» aircraft by the end of April 2024, but the manufacturer has now confirmed that only 40-45 will be delivered by the end of June.
This shortfall has left the airline with no choice but to significantly scale back its operations during the cooler months.
Which Routes and Airports Are Affected?
While the airline has not published a definitive list of cancelled routes, the impact will be felt across its network. The schedule cuts will affect a number of its bases, including:
- Dublin Airport
- Milan Bergamo
- Brussels Charleroi
- Rome Ciampino
- Porto
- Valencia
This means popular winter sun destinations and city break routes from the UK are likely to see reduced frequency or axed flights entirely.
A Silver Lining for Savvy Travellers? Fares Set to Plummet
In a surprising twist, this reduction in capacity could spell good news for bargain hunters. Michael O'Leary, Ryanair's CEO, warned that the lack of aircraft would mean «fares in Europe in summer 2024 are going to rise again».
However, the opposite is predicted for the winter season. With nearly a million fewer seats to fill, Ryanair and its competitors are expected to engage in a fierce price war to attract passengers. This could lead to unprecedented price drops on remaining seats as airlines fight for market share.
Passengers are advised to keep a close eye on airline websites and booking platforms for flash sales and discounted fares in the coming months.
