Ryanair Considers Temporary Staff Pay Freeze as Fuel Costs Surge

What changed

Ryanair is considering a temporary pay freeze for staff as fuel costs surge after the US-Israel war with Iran. The airline forecasts its short-term fuel bill will be €2bn higher and expects European airfares to rise, while warning that higher fares alone may not cover the increase.

Why it matters

The pressure is landing in two places at once: on Ryanair employees’ pay and on passengers’ tickets. A fuel bill that is €2bn higher forces the airline to weigh wage restraint against fare increases, with neither option painless.

Ryanair expects fuel prices to remain high well into 2027 unless the conflict reaches a swift resolution. That makes this more than a brief cost shock in the airline’s planning: the company is preparing for a squeeze that could last through several travel seasons.

The pay freeze remains under consideration, not a settled decision. Unite represents Ryanair employees, and its response could become an important part of what happens next.