Ryanair Investor Update

RNS Number : 1685F

Ryanair Holdings PLC

07 January 2010

 



Ryanair Investor Update

December traffic grows 12% to 5m 

2009 traffic grows 13% to 65m

Ryanair, the world's favourite airline, held an investor briefing today (7th Jan 10) during which it confirmed the following updates:

• December traffic grew 12% to 4.9m pax; load factor rose 2% to 82%.

• Annual traffic grew 13% to 65.3m for calendar year 2009.

• Over 50% of y/e March 2011 fuel now hedged at approx $720 per tonne.

• Annual capex to decline from €1.2bn (cur yr) to €100m p.a. (y/e Mar 2013) 

• There is no truth or basis to recent Irish media speculation that Ryanair is preparing a third bid for Aer Lingus. In the absence of any decision by the Irish Govt to sell its 25% stake, a third bid by Ryanair remains 'highly unlikely'.

Speaking today, Ryanair's Michael O'Leary said, 

"As our December traffic shows Ryanair is growing strongly and remains on course to carry over 66m passengers in the current fiscal year which makes Ryanair the world's favourite international airline. We have hedged over 50% of our fuel for the year ending March 2011 at approx $720 per tonne. With the unsuccessful termination of our talks with Boeing for a 200 aircraft order in December, planned capital expenditure will now decline from €1.2bn in the current year to as little as €100m p.a. in fiscal year ending March 2013.

"We expect our current cash reserves of €2.5bn to grow substantially by March 2013 and we plan to distribute surplus cash to shareholders from that date. Our position on Aer Lingus remains unchanged. A third bid is highly unlikely unless or until the Irish Government decides to dispose of its 25% stake in this loss making, increasingly marginalised, regional carrier".

Ryanair's December 2009 traffic stats are as follows:

	Dec 08	Dec 09	Increase	12 mth to 31 Dec 09
Passengers (m) 1	4.37M	4.90M	+12%	65.3M
Load Factor 2	79%	81%	+ 2%	82%

• Represents the number of earned seats flown by Ryanair. 

• Represents the number of passengers as a percentage of total seats available. 

Ends.                                              Thursday, 7th January 2010

For further information:

Stephen McNamara- Ryanair     Pauline McAlester - Murray Consultants 

Tel: [phone]                 Tel: [phone]

 

END

 

 

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