Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair reported a significant increase in passenger numbers in May 2026. The company announced at its headquarters in Dublin that it transported approximately 20,7 million passengers last month.
This represents a six percent increase compared to the same month last year, when 19,6 million passengers were recorded. To handle this passenger volume, the low-cost carrier operated more than 114,000 flights across its European network during the month. The aircraft load factor remained consistently high at 95 percent, a very high level compared to others in the industry.
Even in the longer term, the expansion of Europe's largest low-cost carrier continues. Ryanair recorded a total of 210,4 million passengers over the past twelve months up to May 2026. Compared to the same period last year, when the airline welcomed 202,0 million passengers, this represents an increase of four percent. The average load factor for the entire year remained stable at 94 percent. This continuous growth underscores the persistently strong demand in the low-cost point-to-point travel segment in Europe.
Additional market analysis shows that Ryanair has achieved this growth despite ongoing challenges in the global aviation industry. The sector is currently suffering from massive delays in aircraft deliveries by the US manufacturer Boeing, which is restricting the capacity planning of many airlines for the summer flight schedule. Ryanair is compensating for these bottlenecks through optimized fleet rotation and the increased use of the more efficient Boeing 737 Max 8-200. Through its aggressive pricing strategy and the targeted expansion of regional routes, the airline is succeeding in gaining market share from traditional network airlines, which are under intense cost pressure in European short-haul traffic.
For the coming summer months, aviation industry analysts expect a further increase in passenger traffic, as booking figures for the peak holiday season are pointing towards record levels. Ryanair is using this market phase to further expand its offerings to southern European holiday destinations. The high capacity utilization also strengthens the Irish airline's negotiating position with smaller regional airports regarding takeoff and landing fees, which is a key pillar of its low-cost business model.