EasyJet and Ryanair cut capacity amid soaring fuel costs

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 9 Oct, 12:44 · Archive

EasyJet is cutting 700,000 winter seats and Ryanair warns of higher fares as fuel prices remain elevated.

EasyJet is cutting 700,000 extra seats from its UK winter 2026–2027 schedule, the second reduction of its kind this year, bringing total cuts for that period to 1.4 million. The airline, which operates a three-aircraft base at Southend Airport, says the changes represent a tiny proportion of its flying programme and that it typically moves customers to alternative flights. Despite the cuts, easyJet plans to expand at Southend with a fourth aircraft from summer 2027.

Ryanair, which bases 57 aircraft at Stansted Airport as its largest hub globally, has issued a more severe warning. Michael O'Leary, the airline's chief executive, told an Airlines for Europe conference yesterday: 'The airlines cannot survive unless they pass on these insanely higher fuel costs in the form of higher offers, and the customers will have to pay.' Ryanair has already indicated that ticket prices could be up to 20 per cent higher next summer.

Jet fuel remains around 50 per cent more expensive than before the war in Iran began. Although fuel prices have eased slightly, they are expected to stay elevated for the next 12 to 18 months. O'Leary warned that airlines could face more than a year of elevated fuel costs, suggesting the effects of the conflict could keep prices high into 2028.

How it is being reported

• Ryanair boss warns of higher fares amid 'insanely high' fuel costsRyanair warns of higher fares as fuel costs rise at Stansted, while easyJet cuts 700,000 winter seats from its winter schedule in 2026-27.Colchester Gazette · 9 Oct, 12:20
• Ryanair boss warns of higher fares amid 'insanely high' fuel costsRyanair warns of higher fares as fuel costs rise at Stansted, while easyJet cuts 700,000 winter seats from its winter schedule in 2026-27.Brentwood Guardian · 9 Oct, 12:20
• easyJet cuts 700,000 winter seats amid 'insanely high' fuel cost warningRising fuel costs threaten higher air fares and fewer flights as airlines grapple with “insanely high” prices.Echo (Basildon) · 9 Oct, 12:13

In this story: easyJet · Ryanair · Michael O'Leary · Southend Airport · Stansted Airport · Essex

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem