Ryanair Reports €820 Million Profit Amid Controversy Over Night-Flight Limit

Ryanair Holdings, Europe’s largest airline, announced a significant profit increase of 128% to €820 million for the three months ending in June 2025, a period marked by rising passenger numbers and operational challenges. The airline's chief executive, Michael O’Leary, revealed that Ryanair carried 57.9 million customers during this quarter, reflecting a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2024. The airline also anticipates carrying a total of 206 million passengers over the fiscal year, despite potential constraints posed by regulatory decisions affecting operations at Dublin Airport.

In a contentious move, Ryanair has declared its intention to legally challenge a newly imposed night-flight limit at Dublin Airport. This restriction, established by An Comisiún Pleanála, limits flights from 11 PM to 7 AM to a total of 35,672 annually, a decision O’Leary argues undermines the airport's capacity to serve up to 60 million passengers per year. The second runway, opened in 2022, has enabled Dublin Airport to handle significantly more traffic, and the recent ruling is seen as a regulatory barrier to growth.

O’Leary has urged the Irish government, led by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, to abolish both the night-flight limit and another existing passenger cap of 32 million, which has been in place since 2007. He criticized the government's inaction, emphasizing a commitment made in their program for government to remove such restrictions. "Seven months later, they are all about to go on three months’ holiday, and nothing has been done," O’Leary stated, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

The implications of these restrictions extend beyond Ryanair. Aer Lingus, another major airline operating from Dublin, has expressed similar concerns, indicating that the night-flight limit could significantly hinder growth for both domestic and international flights, particularly during the critical early morning hours.

Financially, Ryanair's performance has benefited from a full Easter holiday in April 2025, contributing to a 20% increase in sales, reaching €4.34 billion. Despite projected fare increases, O’Leary cautioned that the airline anticipates a lower recovery in fares compared to the previous year, due to delays in new aircraft deliveries from Boeing.

The airline's profitability has also been impacted by external factors, including ongoing industrial action by French air traffic control staff, which has led to numerous flight cancellations and disruptions. O’Leary has called upon Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, to ensure that flights are protected during such strikes, particularly those that traverse French airspace.

As Ryanair continues to navigate these operational challenges and regulatory hurdles, its future growth remains contingent on favorable legal outcomes and the resolution of ongoing disputes with government authorities. The airline's recent financial success illustrates its resilience, yet the looming restrictions pose a significant threat to its expansion ambitions in one of Europe’s busiest aviation markets. The forthcoming months will be pivotal as Ryanair seeks to assert its position against regulatory limitations while capitalizing on growing travel demand.