Ryanair Holdings PLC (LSE:RYA) reported record passenger numbers in August despite airport disruptions, keeping to its goal to grow faster in a recession.
Nearly 17mln people flew with the airline last month, more than its pre-Covid peak of almost 15mln in the same month of 2019 and way more than 11mln in 2021.
It was a fourth consecutive month of record traffic.
In order to be prepared for the surge in demand for travel once lockdown restrictions were lifted, the company trained its staff throughout the pandemic.
As Heathrow airport attempted to minimise short-notice cancellations by capping the number of flights, Ryanair increased departures at Stansted airport, its main hub in London.
Heathrow has extended the cap to October end.
Ryanair's chief Michael O'Leary has been increasing the airline's capacity as shrinking travel budgets lead people to its low-fare business model.
It will likely beat pre-pandemic levels of passengers this year as it recently announced its biggest ever winter schedule to and from the UK, although the airline is also facing strikes by its Spanish workforce.