The CEO of the Irish company comments on the airline transport situation, facing uncertainties in the Middle East war. He also takes a jab at the American president along the way.
Michael O’Leary, Brussels, January 14, 2026 (AFP / SIMON WOHLFAHRT)
Aircraft should not suffer from kerosene shortages in May in Europe, but the situation remains uncertain for June, stated Ryanair’s CEO to the Italian press on Wednesday, April 22. “For now, oil companies say there will be no supply risks for May, but for June we are not sure,” Michael O’Leary told journalists, as reported by
Il Sole 24 Ore
.
“As long as the Middle East war continues and Trump continues to handle it so poorly, fuel prices will inevitably remain higher. 10 to 20% of our fuel supplies are at risk,”
added the Ryanair boss, taking a dig at the White House tenant.
Europe normally imports half of its kerosene from the Gulf countries. However, opinions differ on Asia and to a lesser extent, Europe’s ability to protect its fuel stocks to avoid flight cancellations.
“Travel demand was very strong for us on Easter,” noted Ryanair’s CEO in Corriere della Sera. “We are seeing some weakness in prices at the moment for June, July, and August (…) We believe people are hesitating to book.”
Is the United Kingdom at the forefront?
“If the flight is canceled due to no fuel at the airport, it is clearly an extraordinary circumstance; therefore, the passenger is not entitled to compensation (in addition to a refund),” clarified Michael O’Leary.
According to him, the country most exposed to cancellations is the United Kingdom because it partly sources from Kuwait, paralyzed by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The war has already cost the company an additional $50 million for the month of April. If it continues and the price stays at $150 per barrel, the additional cost “could reach $600 million within a year,” calculates Michael O’Leary.
Evolution of the number of ships, including tankers, passing through the Strait of Hormuz daily and signaling via transponder data from Portwatch (FMI) (AFP / Paz PIZARRO)
“If oil remains at these levels, two or three European airlines could go bankrupt in October or November, like Wizz Air (…) and Air Baltic. This is good for our business, as there will be fewer competitors,” praised the Ryanair CEO, as reported. Ryanair’s stock has suffered in the market due to these supply challenges. However, unlike its competitor Easyjet, the Irish company has so far avoided revising its financial forecasts, ahead of the publication of its fiscal year 2026 results, expected on May 18.
/2026/04/23/69ea2fd9754ea006491512.jpg "Middle East War: Iran stages the apprehension of two foreign ships in the Strait of Hormuz in a video")
