Ryanair reported a record first-half net profit today and raised its estimate for full-year net income by 15 per cent.
The results comfortably exceeded market forecasts but the airline warned its first-half results were exceptional and that profit growth in the third and fourth quarters would be slower as average fare yields would be lower.
The company posted a profit after tax of €151 million, up 71 per cent, with revenues growing 35 per cent to €464.6 million.
The company - which also announced a 37 per cent rise in passenger traffic to 7.84 million in its first six months - said average fares had fallen by 2 per cent but operating costs dropped 11 per cent, boosting its margins six points to 32 per cent.
The airline said it would announce further new routes after Christmas and add 13 more Boeing 737-800 aircraft over the next six months to its fleet of 44.