Ryanair Holdings plcMiddle East conflict drove up jet-fuel costs, with unhedged fuel price more than doubling, increasing operating costs.

Ryanair reported a 34% drop in first-quarter net profit to 538 million euros, down from 820 million euros a year earlier, as the Middle East conflict drove up jet-fuel costs and dampened ticket sales. Operating costs rose 11% to 3.81 billion euros, with the price of the airline's 20% unhedged jet-fuel more than doubling. Passenger traffic grew 6%, but fares fell 6% amid consumer hesitancy and later bookings linked to the conflict. Chief Executive Michael O'Leary warned that full-year profit remains highly sensitive to conflict escalation, unhedged fuel prices, and other macroeconomic shocks. Ryanair's shares slid nearly 6% in Dublin trading following the bigger-than-expected profit decline.
Ryanair Holdings plcMiddle East conflict drove up jet-fuel costs, with unhedged fuel price more than doubling, increasing operating costs.