Ryanair passenger numbers increased by over 1 million in May as the airline industry makes a strong comeback after the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
YanAir carried a total of 15.4 million passengers in May, compared to 14.2 million a month ago. The budget airline recorded a load factor of 92 pc for the month, up from 1 pc in April.
The strong May numbers registered an increase of 756pc over the 1.8 million passengers the carrier recorded last year before restrictions were eased in many markets.
The carrier operated more than 88,400 flights in May, an increase of nearly 6,000 from April, reflecting rising travel demand.
So far this year, Ryanair passenger numbers stand at 123.9 million, up 310 percent from the same period in 2021.
The demand for flights comes amid ongoing airport disruptions caused by staff shortages, including in Dublin, Amsterdam, Brussels and Manchester. Dublin airport recorded long queues both outside and inside terminal buildings over the past weekend, resulting in more than 1,400 passengers losing their flights.
The airport will now be at 70pc of pre-pandemic levels with security staff levels at 70pc over the June bank holiday weekend.
Ryanair has also rejected the DAA’s application for an 88pc price increase on airport fees, with Chief Executive Eddie Wilson commenting: “The DAA should be able to see an efficient customer through security instead of dreaming up new fees for facilities.” The focus should be on deciding recruitment to deliver service wants and that hurts tourism recovery.”
