Ryanair breaks passenger record in August flying 17 million people

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary kept his staff’s flying hours and training up-to-date throughout Covid lockdowns

Ryanair has reported record passenger numbers for August, as the Irish low-cost airline lives up to its ambition to grow faster into a recession and burnishes its reputation for competent handling at a time of airport disruption.

It flew almost 17 million people in August, more than its pre-Covid peak of almost 15 million in the same month of 2019 and up from just over 11 million in 2021. It was the fourth consecutive month of record traffic.

The company kept its staff trained and up-to-date with flying hours during the pandemic, leaving it ready to cope with the surge in demand for travel once lockdown restrictions were lifted. After Heathrow airport stunned travellers by introducing a cap on the number of flights to minimise short-notice cancellations amid a shortage of ground staff , Ryanair increased departures from its main London hub at Stansted airport.

Its boss, Michael O’Leary, is increasing the company’s capacity even as the economy slows and the cost of living crisis bites, with shrinking travel budgets drawing people to Ryanair’s low-fare business model.

Ryanair also recently unveiled  its biggest ever winter schedule to and from the UK but also faces a series of strikes from staff in Spain.