Ryanair Holdings PLC (LSE:RYA) reported a 16% fall in profits for the past year due to rising costs and falling ticket fares, but announced a €750 million share buyback as it said prices were rising again.
Net income for the year to March 2025 landed at €1.6 billion, bang in line with expectations, as 200.2 million passengers were carried on the Irish airline, up 9% year-on-year.
Revenues rose 4% to €13.4 billion while scheduled revenues were up 1% to €9.2 billion and ancillary revenues grew 10% to €4.72 billion, both modestly above forecasts.
Operating expenses increased 9% to €12.4 billion, driven by higher fuel costs.
The final dividend of €0.223 per share and buyback exceeded estimates.
For the year ahead, Ryanair expects 206 million passengers, but is cautious on full-year guidance due to risks such as US tariffs and air traffic control staffing.
To date, summer demand was said to be "strong", with first-quarter fares on track to finish a "mid-high teen per cent" ahead of a year ago and the pricing in the second quarter expected to recover "some" of the 7% decline experienced a year ago.
Fuel for the current year is almost 85% hedged at $76 a barrel to help derisk the group from fuel price volatility.