---
title: Ryanair Warns European Fares Could Rise by 20% Next Year as Airlines Cut Winter Flights Over Fuel Costs
description: Ryanair says European fares could rise up to 20% in 2027 as fuel costs soar. Which airlines have cut winter flights and your rights if yours goes.
author: Dr Marina Nani (Editor-in-Chief)
date: 2026-11-03T15:01:37.806Z
updated: 2026-11-03T15:01:37.822Z
canonical: https://richtravelmagazine.com/article/ryanair-fares-rise-winter-flight-cuts
image: https://cdn.nanimediahouse.com/pexels-322819.webp
categories: Smart Travel
content_type: News
region: Europe
publication: Rich Travel Magazine
about:
  - type: Organization
    name: Ryanair
---

Ryanair chief executive Michael O'Leary said on Monday 2nd November that European airfares could rise by 10% and possibly 20% next year, as the airline's cheap fuel contracts run out. He made the forecast on the day Ryanair reported a 15% fall in half-year profit, and it lands as airlines across Europe cut flights from their winter schedules to limit the cost of expensive jet fuel.

## Why European Airfares Are Expected to Rise in 2027

Jet fuel prices have roughly doubled since the war in Iran began. IATA figures put European jet fuel at $196 a barrel in mid-October, against less than $100 at the start of 2026, and O'Leary put the price at about $170 a barrel on Monday.

Ryanair has fixed the price of 80% of the fuel it needs until March 2027 at $67 a barrel, which has protected its fares so far. For the following twelve months it has fixed only 25%, at $95 a barrel. The airline expects its fuel bill to rise by about €2 billion in that year, and it said that higher fares and reduced capacity at rival airlines are unlikely to cover all of it.

Fares have not risen yet. Ryanair's average fare between April and September fell by 4% to €55.70, while its passenger numbers grew by 6% to 125.8 million and profit after tax fell to €2.15 billion from €2.54 billion a year earlier. Fares for October to December are running slightly above last year, and Ryanair said more travellers are booking close to departure.

## Which Airlines Have Cut Winter Flights

The winter season runs from the end of October to the end of March, when demand is lowest and the gap between fares and fuel costs is hardest to close.

- **Ryanair** made what it called a one-off winter cut in September, removing about two million seats and lowering its passenger target for the year from 216 million to 214 million.
- **easyJet** has removed a further 600,000 to 700,000 seats, taking its total winter reduction to about 1.3 million to 1.4 million seats out of the roughly 50 million it usually offers.
- **Eurowings**, part of the Lufthansa Group, is cutting its winter schedule by about 5% and is examining reduced working hours for its German flight operations, according to a staff letter seen by Reuters.
- **Volotea**, the Spanish low-cost airline, has cut about 10% of its winter flights, including services at French airports such as Bordeaux.
- **Lufthansa, Wizz Air and airBaltic** have also reduced their winter flying, either by dropping routes or by grounding aircraft.

Ryanair is still growing where demand is strongest. It plans 126 new routes and a new base in Rimini for summer 2027, which shows how airlines are moving aircraft from weak winter routes to busy summer ones rather than leaving the market.

## Your Rights if Your Winter Flight Is Cancelled

If an airline cancels your flight from the UK or the EU, you can choose a full refund or a seat on an alternative flight. That right holds however much notice the airline gives you.

Cash compensation is a different matter. Under UK and EU rules, an airline that notifies you of a cancellation at least 14 days before departure does not owe you compensation on top of the refund or rebooking. Most winter schedule cuts are announced weeks in advance, so compensation will rarely apply to them.

## How to Protect Your Winter and 2027 Travel Plans

1. **Check your booking now.** Airlines contact passengers when a flight is cancelled, but a changed email address or a booking made through an agent can mean you miss the message.
2. **Take the alternative flight if it suits you.** A rebooking on the same airline often costs you less than a refund followed by a new fare bought close to departure.
3. **Book separate legs with care.** If your connecting flight is on a different ticket, a cancellation on one leg leaves you without protection on the other.
4. **Look at summer 2027 early.** If Ryanair's forecast proves right, fares booked before the cheap fuel contracts expire in March could cost you less than fares booked later.
5. **Consider the train for short European trips.** Rail fares do not track jet fuel prices in the same way, and new services such as Eurostar's direct London to Antwerp route from 14th December give you more choice.

For a fuller picture of what next year will cost you, our guide to [what your next city break will cost in 2027](https://richtravelmagazine.com/article/tourist-taxes-europe-2027) sets out the numbers, and [8 European destinations for 2027](https://richtravelmagazine.com/article/best-european-destinations-2027-from-london) shows how to reach each one from London.