Ryanair cancelled more than 800 flights last month as the ongoing Middle East conflict continues to disrupt air travel across the region. The Irish airline joins other carriers forced to cancel and reroute services amid escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, alongside continued attacks in Gaza.
Despite the cancellations, Ryanair still operated more than 109,000 flights in June, meaning fewer than 1% of its services were affected by the regional instability. The Dublin-based carrier carried 19.9 million passengers during the month, representing a 3% increase compared to June last year.
Passenger numbers surge despite disruption
The airline's annual passenger figures show strong growth, with 202.6 million travellers carried over the past 12 months - up 7% year-on-year. Last week saw further disruption when flights were halted at Dubai airport in the United Arab Emirates, with passengers warned to expect additional delays and cancellations.
Rival budget airline Wizz Air also reported significant passenger growth despite regional challenges. The London-listed carrier transported 5.88 million passengers in June, marking a 10.8% increase against the same month in 2023.
Wizz Air capacity increases
Wizz Air's seat capacity rose 10.4% year-on-year as the airline expanded its operations. Over the past 12 months, the carrier has transported around 65 million passengers, representing a 4.7% increase compared to the previous year.
The strong passenger numbers for both airlines demonstrate resilient demand for air travel despite ongoing geopolitical tensions affecting Middle Eastern airspace and major regional hubs.
(PA) Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
