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Michael O’Leary: ‘We expect to be able to operate 80% of capacity next summer’


O’Leary: We’ll fill gaps left by other carriers


Upbeat Ryanair chief predicts a summer 2021 recovery. Ian Taylor reports


Ryanair plans to expand as other carriers downsize, chief executive Michael O’Leary made clear on Monday, as he insisted “there are bright days ahead” despite the new lockdown. O’Leary argued “there are reasons


for optimism” as he reported a loss of €197 million for the six months to September – a sharp contrast to the billions in losses announced last week by British Airways owner IAG and Air France-KLM. The Ryanair boss noted: “When


the Canaries reopened two weeks ago, our daily target of 2,000 bookings a


48 5 NOVEMBER 2020


day was exceeded 14-fold – 28,000 the first day, 25,000 the second day. We were adding extra flights to the Canaries within 24 hours. “The Canaries give an indication of


the extent of pent-up demand. There is enormous desire to travel again. It will be reflected in a very strong travel pattern so long as there is a vaccine by the end of Q1 or Q2 [next year].” O’Leary insisted: “The short-haul


snap back will be strong and immediate. The key issue is when there will be a vaccine available. We believe [there will be] by the end of Q1, at least for key workers and those


most vulnerable. If there is a vaccine it will be a very strong summer. “We expect to be able to operate


80% of capacity next summer. The earlier a vaccine is available, the higher that number will go.” Despite the fresh lockdown,


Ryanair intends to operate almost 40% of its 2019 capacity in November, as previously announced, and “slightly higher” for Christmas. O’Leary said: “We don’t expect to cancel more flights from the UK.


Continued on page 46 travelweekly.co.uk


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